Do COVID-19 recovered individuals differ from healthy controls in accelerometer-measured physical activity and self-reported sleep? a UAE-based study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with recent studies suggesting long-term aftermath effects on physical activity (PA) and sleep among recovered individuals. Pre-existing challenges, such as high rates of physical inactivity and sleep deprivation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may exacerbate these effects. This cross-sectional study compared accelerometer-measured PA and self-reported sleep between 65 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 within the past year (mean age 23.28 ± 6.05 years; 56 had acute COVID-19; 6 had ongoing symptoms up to 12 weeks, and 3 had post-COVID-19 syndrome) and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (mean age 22.54 ± 4.32 years) in the UAE. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and COVID-19 symptom history were collected through structured questionnaires. PA was measured using a thigh worn Fibion accelerometer for 4–7 consecutive days, including sitting, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity activity durations. Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square analyses were used. No significant differences in sitting and PA durations were observed between the two groups. However, individuals recovered from COVID-19 exhibited longer sleep latency (29.15 min vs. 19.88 min, p = 0.033) compared to healthy controls. Other sleep parameters, such as sleep duration, efficiency, and daytime dysfunction, showed no statistically significant differences. Additionally, no associations were found between COVID-19 recovery and insomnia prevalence or excessive daytime sleepiness. These findings suggest that individuals primarily recovered from acute COVID-19 may not present with significant impairments in PA or sleep quality. However, the results also highlight the importance of individualized assessment and the need for further research to understand the broader spectrum of post-COVID cases (acute to post-COVID syndrome) and associated recovery outcomes.