Long-term Physical Capacity Following COVID-19: A Prospective, Three-Year Study.

Publication date: Sep 12, 2025

COVID-19 impacts physical and respiratory health, and the clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic cases to severe infections requiring hospitalisation. While the long-term effects on lung function and physical capacity are well-documented in moderate to severe cases, the long-term outcome for individuals with mild COVID-19 remains poorly understood. This study investigates the long-term recovery of physical capacity and breathlessness among both hospitalised and non-hospitalised individuals. This prospective cohort study enrolled individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between April 2020 and May 2021 through the CoVUm-study. Participants underwent assessments of lung function at 3-6 months after infection and attended follow-ups up to three years post-infection. Physical capacity was evaluated at follow-ups, using the one-minute sit-to-stand test and the modified Medical Research Council scale to assess breathlessness. The cohort included 291 participants, 35% of whom were hospitalised during SARS-CoV-2 infection. At the 3-year follow-up, 191 participants completed the physical capacity test and 179 had an assessment of breathlessness. Physical capacity improved significantly in the total cohort up to two years post-infection where improvement plateaued. Hospitalisation and impaired diffusing capacity were significantly associated with reduced physical capacity (beta -6. 4, p

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