LONG COVID AND STRENGTH TRAINING: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infection can range from mild to critical, and many survivors develop persistent symptoms, characterized as long COVID. Among its consequences, muscle mass and strength loss stand out, compromising those affected's health and quality of life. Scientific evidence indicates that strength training (ST) may be beneficial by stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting muscle degradation, promoting muscle mass and strength gains. Additionally, ST stimulates the release of myokines that modulate inflammatory processes, suggesting its potential in treating long-term COVID. This review aimed to analyze the cellular and molecular pathways involved in the muscle damage caused by COVID-19 and the muscular adaptations induced by ST. Based on this review, ST emerges as a promising non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate muscle damage associated with long-term COVID, offering an effective therapeutic approach for patient rehabilitation.