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This research aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a physical activity coaching programme for individuals with Long COVID.

March 26, 2026Open Access

Physical activity coaching programme for people with Long COVID: a pilot randomised clinical trial

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a physical activity coaching programme for individuals with Long COVID.
Randomised, parallel-group pilot trial design
Participants received either a twelve-week PA coaching intervention or usual care
Assessment of physical activity, functional capacity, dyspnoea, fatigue, and quality of life at baseline, three, and six months
Feasibility determined through recruitment, retention, and adherence rates
Safety assessed by monitoring adverse events
High recruitment (89%) and retention (92%) rates met feasibility criteria
Intervention group showed significant improvements in light physical activity (+53 min·day-1), steps (+4632 steps·day-1), and functional capacity (+119 m in 6MWD) at three months
Improvements in dyspnoea, fatigue, and quality of life were observed and maintained at six months
No adverse events reported during the trial

Abstract

Low physical activity-PA may affect health outcomes in people with Long COVID. This study assessed the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy and effectiveness of a PA coaching programme vs. usual care. A randomised, parallel-group, pilot trial compared a twelve-week multicomponent PA coaching intervention (EG: self-monitoring, feedback, and goal setting/review) with usual care (CG: self-managed PA). PA (inertial sensors-light/moderate/vigorous PA min·day-1, steps·day-1), functional capacity (6-minute walk test-6MWD; 1-minute sit-to-stand test-1minSTS), dyspnoea (modified Medical Research Council scale-mMRC), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale-FACIT-FS) and health-related quality of life-HRQoL (European Quality of Life-Five Dimensions-Five Levels visual analogue scale-EQ-5D-5L) were assessed at baseline, three- and six-months afterwards. Recruitment (≥70%), retention, adherence (≥80%) and preliminary efficacy/effectiveness explored feasibility. Adverse events determined safety. Fifty participants (EG: n=25, 47±10y, 80%♀; CG: n=25, 46±11y, 76%♀) were enrolled. Recruitment (89%), retention (92%) and adherence (83%) met feasibility criteria. At three-months, the EG improved PA, sedentary behaviour and functional capacity compared to the CG (light PA: +5319;89min·day-1; steps·day-1: +46322626;6638; sedentary time: -71-141;-2min·day-1; 6MWD: +11951;187m). Dyspnoea, fatigue and HRQoL also improved (mMRC: -1-2;-1; FACIT-FS: +116;17; EQ-5D-5L: +2113;29). These changes were maintained or further improved at six-months/three-months post-intervention (light PA: +7336;111min·day-1; moderate-to-vigorous PA: +71;14min·day-1; steps·day-1: +52363070;7402; sedentary time: -98-165;-31min·day-1; 6MWD: +13669;203m; 1minSTS: +92;15reps; mMRC: -1-2;-1; FACIT-FS: +1913;24; EQ-5D-5L: +2518;33). No adverse events occurred. The PA coaching programme was feasible, safe and may enhance and sustain PA, sedentary behaviour, functional capacity, symptoms, and HRQoL in Long COVID up to three-months post-intervention. A large trial is warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06165978

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Physical activity coaching programme for people with Long COVID: a pilot randomised clinical trial

Key Points

Abstract

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