[Changes in respiratory function and physical performance in middle-aged and old inpatients recovering from COVID-19 after a rehabilitation program.].

Changes in respiratory and physical performance in geriatric inpatients recovering from COVID-19 are of interest for rehabilitation interventions. 56 inpatients (67% women), average age 64±11 years recovering from COVID-19 underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation program (16,9±3,8 days). After the rehabilitation program, the patients showed an improvement in respiratory function: voluntary breath-holding after inhalation - by 19% (p=0,006), breath-holding after exhalation - by 25% (p=0,026), lungs computed tomography (p<0,001); physical performance: handgrip strength - by 14% (p=0,083), preferred walking speed - by 80% (p=0,025); exercise tolerance: distance walked until the first signs of fatigue - by 227% (p<0,001), resting heart rate - by 1% (p=0,011).