Eccentric Cycling Vs. Standard Rehabilitation for Post-ICU Recovery in COVID-19 Survivors

The training protocol for the ECC consisted of a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary ergometer (RS1 Go, Life fitness, USA) before completion of the prescribed workout. In the first two weeks, participants completed two sets of 10 minutes of eccentric cycling at an RPE between 9-11 with 2 minutes of inter-set rest. Then, during weeks 3-8, participants completed two sets of 15 min of eccentric cycling at an RPE between 13-15 with 2 min inter-set rest.

The training protocol for STD REHAB consisted of the same 5 min warm-up protocol used in ECC, followed by three sets of 8 repetitions of bicep curls, triceps extensions, shoulder abduction, bodyweight squats, deadlifts, and leg abductions with an elastic band with 2 min inter-set rest. The resistance of the elastic band tension was progressively increased according to the participant's tolerance based on RPE. ECC training was programmed for \~20-30 min, while STD REHAB lasted \~60 min per session.