EFFECTS OF INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN POST-COVID-19 PATIENTS

In addition to muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise, patients from the TG will undergo IMT for six weeks, performing two sets of 30 repetitions daily using the device POWERbreathe classic medic® (POWERbreathe International Ltd., Southam, United Kingdom). MIP will be measured in all patients before the intervention as described earlier, and patients will exercise at 40% MIP in the first week and 60% MIP in the subsequent five weeks. The patients will be instructed to inhale using the diaphragm muscle, trying to expand the rib cage to avoid using accessory muscles A nose clip will be used to ensure patients breathe exclusively through the training device.

"For six weeks the CG will perform muscle strengthening through a sit and stand up from a chair routine, abduction of upper and lower limbs, and rowing; three sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise will be performed. Elastic tubes will be used, with elasticity defined by color and indicating the greatest resistance the participant can endure with an effort between 4 and 8 on the OMNI-RES scale for perceived exertion.~In addition, aerobic exercise will be performed, through walking on flat terrain for five minutes in the first week, 10 minutes in the second week, and 20 minutes in the subsequent week, with intensity between 40-60% of the reserve heart rate and respecting the patients' symptoms.~Aerobic training intensity will be calculated by the modified BORG exertion scale maintaining a score between 6 and 7 - with the progression respecting the patients' symptoms - and by the reserve heart rate."