Registry of COvid 19 survivors for FItness, exercise impairment and exercise Training (COFIT)

COVID 19 infection has varying consequences on physical functioning on the long and short term. However, until now, knowledge on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) after infection is scarce, if not unavailable. By prospectively measuring CRF in COVID survivors by means of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), the actual degree of function (loss) will become known, which may be used to estimate the consequences on activities of daily life, work and sports participation in the Netherlands. Furthermore, analysis of CPET results is expected to reveal the different mechanisms by which exercise capacity is impaired, and, as such, may guide in tailoring rehabilitation programs. Finally, the study aims to validate a novel and simple questionnaire which simultaneously measures self reported CRF. Upon validation this questionnaire may be used in the COVID population as as useful and simple tool for evaluating and monitoring CRF during rehabilitation.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is expected to be lower in COVID survivors on short and long term compared with applicable reference values and is expected to remain low on the long term in a considerable subset of patients. CRF measured with a questionnaire has a high degree of correlation with actual CRF measured by CPET and is responsive for changes of CRF in time, making it a useful and simple tool for evaluating and monitoring CRF during rehabilitation.

At least one: at initial consultation by a sports and exercise physician including CPET. Any subsequent visit with CPET up to two years after inclusion.