Exploring the perceived impact of physical activity on physical and mental health among individuals with long COVID: A qualitative interview inquiry

Zoe Sirotiak; Ann M Oberhauser; Arie M Sirotiak; Kate A Nettleton; Duck-Chul Lee; Emily B K Thomas; Angelique G Brellenthin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0350121

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Exploring the perceived impact of physical activity on physical and mental health among individuals with long COVID: A qualitative interview inquiry

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Exploring the perceived impact of physical activity on physical and mental health among individuals with long COVID: A qualitative interview inquiry

Zoe Sirotiak, Ann M Oberhauser, Arie M Sirotiak, Kate A Nettleton, Duck-Chul Lee, Emily B K Thomas and Angelique G Brellenthin

PloS one, Vol.21(5), e0350121

05/27/2026

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0350121

PMCID: PMC13215512

PMID: 42201907

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Abstract

Long COVID presents a significant health burden with limited treatment options. Physical activity (PA) has been suggested for self-management, yet symptom worsening has been reported in similar patient populations. This study aims to identify PA's perceived impact on physical and mental health in adults with long COVID. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 adults (mean age 52 years, 62% women) based in the United States (U.S.) self-reporting long COVID. PA-related content was analyzed using deductive thematic analysis, assessing worsened and improved health experiences attributed to PA. Participants' perceived health scores were one standard deviation worse than the general U.S. population. Most participants (64.7%) reported worsening long COVID symptoms with PA, while 14.7% noted improvement. Themes for worsened physical health included post-exertional malaise, specific symptom worsening (e.g., fatigue), limited PA abilities, external control perceptions, forced inactivity, and loss of previous PA abilities. Improved health themes involved beliefs in health benefits, symptom improvement, increased energy, accomplishment, enhanced PA abilities, and hope. PA's impact on health varied among individuals with long COVID, highlighting the need to tailor PA recommendations to individual needs and limits.

Mental Health

Adult

Aged

COVID-19 - psychology

Exercise - psychology

Female

Health Status

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

Qualitative Research

SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification

Symptom Burden

Details

Title: Subtitle: Exploring the perceived impact of physical activity on physical and mental health among individuals with long COVID: A qualitative interview inquiry
Creators: Zoe Sirotiak - Iowa State University
Ann M Oberhauser - Iowa State University
Arie M Sirotiak - Iowa State University
Kate A Nettleton - Youngstown State University
Duck-Chul Lee - University of Pittsburgh
Emily B K Thomas - University of Iowa
Angelique G Brellenthin - Iowa State University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.21(5), e0350121
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0350121
PMID: 42201907
PMCID: PMC13215512
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
Language: English
Date published: 05/27/2026
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
Record Identifier: 9985166964302771

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