October 2024
New Findings on Exercise Training in Long-COVID
Our Center has been at the forefront of exercise research for 70 years. We are perhaps best known for our seminal demonstration of the physiologic and symptomatic benefits of exercise training in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, Dr. Stringer and team brought this experience to bear in patients with Long COVID (LC). LC patients have lingering symptoms such as fatigue for more than 12 weeks after initial COVID-19 infection, and sometimes considerably longer. The causes of LC are still unknown. We hypothesized that these symptoms might be related to persistent immune system derangement, which could be treated by exercise training. We knew that we had to proceed very cautiously because, in some people with post-viral syndromes, exercise training can lead to worsening on symptoms. With this in mind, 14 participants with LC symptoms persisting for an average of 15 months embarked on 10 weeks of moderate intensity concurrent strength and endurance exercise training. We found significant improvements in fitness, and reduced symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety and shortness of breath. We also found that the number and type of circulating immune cells and other markers of inflammation in the blood were not harmed by the training program, which was important given concerns about the potentially detrimental effects of exercise training on LC symptoms. These data suggest that moderate intensity exercise training may be safe and effective for managing LC symptoms, when tailored to each individual’s ability and progressed with care.
Congratulations to Dr. Richard Casaburi!
At it’s annual meeting in Anaheim, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) presented the L. Kent Smith Award of Excellence to Dr. Richard Casaburi. This award is AACVPR’s most prestigious and is given in recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the fields of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation. After receiving the award, Dr. Casaburi gave a brief lecture, touching on the highlights of his 38 years of pulmonary rehabilitation research.
RRC Member of the Month
October’s RRC Member of the month is Dr. Asghar Abbasi. Dr. Abbasi is an Investigator at the Lundquist Institute. He joined the RRC in 2017. He received a Ph.D. in exercise immunology, and completed post doctoral training in neuroimmunology, at The Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research at University Hospital in Tübingen, Germany. He completed additional postdoctoral research at the MIND Institute at UC Irvine, and at The Lundquist Institute. Dr. Abbasi is a dedicated scientist with a passion for research. His research centers on the immunological mechanisms by which exercise improves chronic lung disease such as COPD. In addition to being multilingual, he enjoys exercising, savoring new coffee experiences, listening to music, reading books and traveling.
Redondo Beach Health Fair
On September 5th our team participated in the 50th annual Redondo Beach Health Fair. This was a fantastic community event offering a variety of health screenings and resources for South Bay residents. The Health Fair provided an excellent opportunity for us to connect with the community, share information about our research, and promote lung health. Attendees enjoyed a raffle with free prizes, and the first 150 participants were treated to a complimentary lunch. We were thrilled to be part of such an impactful event that supports health and wellness in our community!
World Lung Day
