Effect of COVID-19 on Musculoskeletal Performance in Gait and the Timed-Up and Go Test

Abstract

Introduction: The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is over 621 million in the world. In approximately 63% of cases, the patient still experiences persistent symptoms 30 days after the onset of symptoms or hospitalisation, and 45.9% of patients have experienced or will experience symptoms for at least three months. Despite the prevalence of chronic symptoms and pathological changes that may affect gait and functional mobility in people with a history of COVID-19, there are few publications investigating the impact of these abnormalities. This study aims to determine the long-term effects of COVID-19 on gait and the Timed-Up and Go Task. Material and Methods: A total of 30 individuals took part in the experiment. The subjects in the study group were infected with the COVID-19 virus and required hospital treatment. Prior to the study, the subjects had no chronic diseases or other conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. The non-infected by COVID-19 group was a healthy population with no history of COVID-19 disease. The study used the inertial system wireless motion analysis system based on 15 inertial sensors (inertial measurement units, IMUs). IMU sensors were placed on the following body segments: head, sternum, middle and lower spine, shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, shank, for the left and right limb. Movement task reports generated from the recording were created using myoRESEARCH 3.10. The subjects in the study group were asked to perform a movement task test—the Timed-Up and Go Test (TUG): sit-to-stand, walk (3 m) without change in direction, walk termination, and stand-to-sit. Results: It took 46% longer for those infected by COVID-19 (participants) to complete the entire movement task compared to those in the not-infected by COVID-19 group. Sit-to-Stand Time [s] was greater in the infected by COVID-19 group and was 2.1 ± 0.7. Mean Walking Speed [m/s] was lower than in the not-infected by COVID-19 group and was 0.26 ± 0.07. Walking cadence [steps/min] was lower and was 21.2 ± 1.2. Infected by COVID-19 participants achieved a smaller anterior pelvic tilt angle (p < 0.001) and a smaller hip flexion angle (p = 0.025), with an increase in knee (p < 0.001) and ankle (p < 0.001) flexion angles. Conclusions: Individuals in the infected by COVID-19 group present changes in the ranges of motion and the time to complete the TUG task, despite the fact that at least eight weeks passed after hospital discharge.

Ebbing Strength, Fading Power: Unveiling the Impact of Persistent Fatigue on Muscle Performance in COVID-19 Survivors

“…This method primarily focuses on single-joint measurements, which may not fully represent the complex and multi-joint actions required in daily activities. Acknowledging this, our research also incorporated functional assessments such as gait analysis and the Timed Up and Go test [ 50 ]. These assessments provide a more holistic understanding of the patient’s functional status and their ability to perform daily activities.…”

Smartphone-based evaluation of static balance and mobility in long-lasting COVID-19 patients

“…It was observed that patients with up to 5 months since the acute phase of COVID-19 exhibited timed up and go test durations longer than those of individuals without the disease. Kinematic parameters such as walking speed and walking cadence were lower in patients with respect to the control group ( 13 ).…”

“…We developed an algorithm written in Python language based on previous studies ( 13 , 44 ) to find transient components of the inertial waveforms. In the present approach, we focused on analyzing the norm vector of each inertial sensor.…”

“…Long COVID-19 patients experience some level of impairment in their physical function following recovery from COVID-19 ( 13 , 14 ). This impairment is evaluated using tests such as the sit-to-stand test and the six-minute walk test ( 13 ).…”

“…Long COVID-19 patients experience some level of impairment in their physical function following recovery from COVID-19 ( 13 , 14 ). This impairment is evaluated using tests such as the sit-to-stand test and the six-minute walk test ( 13 ). The extensive examination of gait patterns in post-COVID patients includes various parameters such as spatial–temporal gait parameters, biomechanical factors, ground reaction forces, and changes in the gait cycle ( 15 , 16 ).…”