Recovery of Exertion Ability Following COVID-19 Infection in Military Staff (CovEx)

The Paris Fire Brigade staff have been particularly exposed to COVID-19 due to rescue and care activities for victims at risk in Paris area (where the virus was actively circulating). In addition, when the pandemic began in France, they had to take care of patients before procedures to protect caregivers were implemented.

The contamination of young military personnel, whose physical capacity was put into strain at work, raises the question of the consequences of COVID-19 on their physical fitness. At the time, the medium- and long-term evolution of this disease and its possible repercussions on physical fitness are unknown. Moreover, like any soldiers who have been confined, they may present at least a cardio-respiratory deconditioning (sometimes independent of the disease making it difficult to distinguish between a sequelae of the infection or rehabilitation).

Based on previous coronavirus epidemics (Sars-Cov 1 and Mers-Cov), it appears that long-term sequelae are possible even in mild forms and can result in an alteration of exertion ability.

In the current context and in the absence of national or international recommendations on the return to physical activity, the French Armed Forces Health Service has proposed a simple management plan aiming at: i) allowing mass screening for possible exercise intolerance and targeting at-risk personnel, ii) allowing individualized re-training and iii) guaranteeing that military personnel can carry out their mission without jeopardizing their health.