Credit: JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.34304

A three-month program of resistance exercise can help improve the physical and mental well-being of people with long COVID, according to newly published research.

The results—which are part of a study led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside—highlight the importance of manageable exercise after a serious COVID-19 infection.

The study, which was presented at the American Heart Association’s Annual Scientific Sessions 2025 and is simultaneously published in JAMA Network Open, included more than 230 people who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19, either in a community health care setting or in hospital. Trial participants were randomly assigned to one of two arms of the trial: one which included resistance training as part of ongoing health care, and one which did not.

Exercise program shows measurable improvements

The researchers assessed each participant at the beginning of the study, using a shuttle walk test, and then again after three months using the same criteria. After three months, those who had been on the resistance training arm of the trial were able to walk notably further in the shuttle walk test than those who had received only standard health care.

In addition, the researchers also assessed the wider physical and mental health impacts of the resistance training. Results confirmed that participants who were on the exercise arm of the study had a number of additional benefits, including a higher grip strength after three months. The same participants also reported a better quality of life, including having less anxiety and depression.

Understanding long COVID

The impact of long COVID has been widely studied since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The condition, described as when symptoms of an original COVID infection last longer than 12 weeks, has a number of associated health problems, including fatigue, breathlessness and brain fog, among others.

Professor Colin Berry, principal investigator of the CISCO study and Professor of Cardiology and Imaging at the University of Glasgow, said, “Our study demonstrates the benefits of resistance training on COVID-19 recovery, and suggests that people affected by persisting symptoms after COVID-19 could benefit by adopting this kind of exercise.

“Since 2020, research from our group and by others has shown that, for some people, long COVID can have a significant impact on their quality of life, including both mental and physical health. Our results are another encouraging step forward, adding to our collective understanding of how to better treat this condition.”

Tailored exercise routines

Participants in the study were given three exercise categories, with guidance tailored to each individual depending on their overall wellness and ability. Initially, bed-bound patients were asked to exercise lying down, while recovering participants were given seated or standing exercises, depending on their condition. All participants were asked to perform upper body exercise initially, and to only bring in lower body exercises in week three.

Stuart Gray, Professor of Muscle and Metabolic Health at the University of Glasgow, who led the design of the exercise intervention, said, “The exercises given were designed to be safe, simple, and easy to perform where and when was most convenient for the participant, meaning this is something that can be readily rolled out to the wider community of people with long COVID. It is, therefore, extremely exciting to see that this pragmatic intervention was effective in improving physical function, mental health and quality of life.”

Jesse Dawson, Professor of Stroke Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Director of Research and Innovation NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said, “NHSGGC were delighted to work with the University of Glasgow and other collaborators on this study. It is exciting that this resistance training intervention, that could be widely implemented, improved physical measures and also anxiety and quality of life. Huge congratulations to the study team and thanks to all the study participants.”

The latest research is part of the wider CISCO (Cardiac Imaging in SARS Coronavirus disease) study aimed at increasing the understanding of the coronavirus pandemic. The CISCO study followed patients in real time after hospitalization with COVID-19 and compared their health to those in a control group of individuals of similar age, sex and medical background.

More information: Colin Berry et al, Resistance Exercise Therapy After COVID-19 Infection, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.34304

Citation: Long COVID: Resistance exercise can improve physical and mental symptoms (2025, November 11) retrieved 11 November 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-covid-resistance-physical-mental-symptoms.html

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