Exercise Intolerance in Post-COVID Patients

Subjects will perform high-intensity-interval exercise, where the acute exercise responses will be closely monitored, including measurements of O2 saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, borg scale and blood lactate. In addition, symptoms via multiple validated questionnaries and blood samples will be collected before, immediately after each exercise session to describe leukocyte and cytokine release as well as systemic metabolism. After a 48-hour rest period subjects will return to the laboratory for symptom assessment, submaximal exercise response (CPET), and blood sampling.

Subjects will perform moderate intensity continuous exercise, where the acute exercise responses will be closely monitored, including measurements of O2 saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, borg scale and blood lactate. In addition, symptoms via multiple validated questionnaries and blood samples will be collected before, immediately after each exercise session to describe leukocyte and cytokine release as well as systemic metabolism. After a 48-hour rest period subjects will return to the laboratory for symptom assessment, submaximal exercise response (CPET), and blood sampling.

Subjects will perform a series of a whole-body resistance exercises, where the acute exercise responses will be closely monitored, including measurements of O2 saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, borg scale and blood lactate. In addition, symptoms via multiple validated questionnaries and blood samples will be collected before, immediately after each exercise session to describe leukocyte and cytokine release as well as systemic metabolism. After a 48-hour rest period subjects will return to the laboratory for symptom assessment, submaximal exercise response (CPET), and blood sampling.

Subjects will perform a series of baseline assessment including neurophysiological function, circulatory and vascular function, blood volume assessment, respiratory/ventilatory function, maximal oxygen uptake, strength, physical function and fitness, blood status and muscle biopsy.

Subjects will perform the same series of baseline assessment in 1-year time, including neurophysiological function, circulatory and vascular function, blood volume assessment, respiratory/ventilatory function, maximal oxygen uptake, strength, physical function and fitness, blood status and muscle biopsy.