Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is potentially a novel therapeutic gas for acute post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients because it has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and antifatigue properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 14 days of H₂ inhalation on the respiratory and physical fitness status of acute post-COVID-19 patients. This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study included 26 males (44 ± 17 years) and 24 females (38 ± 12 years), who performed a 6-min walking test (6 MWT) and pulmonary function test, specifically forced vital capacity (FVC) and expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). Symptomatic participants were recruited between 21 and 33 days after a positive polymerase chain reaction test. The experiment consisted of H₂/placebo inhalation, 2 × 60 min/day for 14 days. Results showed that H₂ therapy, compared with placebo, significantly increased 6 MWT distance by 64 ± 39 m, FVC by 0.19 ± 0.24 L, and, in FEV1, by 0.11 ± 0.28 L (all p ≤ 0.025). In conclusion, H₂ inhalation had beneficial health effects in terms of improved physical and respiratory function in acute post-COVID-19 patients. Therefore, H₂ inhalation may represent a safe, effective approach for accelerating early function restoration in post-COVID-19 patients.

Background and Objectives: The consequences of stroke have a significant impact on self-sufficiency and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has the potential to impact these modalities, but information on timing, volume, and intensity is not yet available. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (1:1) was to evaluate the impact of conventional rehabilitation combined with VR on self-care and domains of HRQoL in patients ≤6 months post-stroke. Materials and Methods: The intervention group completed a total of 270 min of conventional VR + rehabilitation sessions. The control group underwent conventional rehabilitation only. Primary assessments with the WHO disability assessment schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2) questionnaire were conducted before rehabilitation (T0), after completion of the intervention (T1), and at the 4-week follow-up (T2); secondary outcomes included self-sufficiency and balance assessments. Results: Fifty patients completed the study (mean age 61.2 ± 9.0 years, time since stroke 114.3 ± 39.4 days). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in WHODAS 2, self-sufficiency, and balance scores (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In the experimental group, there was a statistically significant difference in WHODAS 2, assessment of self-sufficiency, and balance scores before and after therapy (p < 0.05). VR appears to be a suitable tool to supplement and modify rehabilitation in patients after stroke.

In this retrospective study, we used data from the hospital information system (HIS) to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation care at the University Hospital of Ostrava (UHO). From March 2020 to December 2021, 5173 COVID-19 cases were hospitalized at UHO. Cases within individual groups and categories are shown in a flowchart. The average patient age was 64.9 ± 16.9 years. The mean BMI value was 30.6 ± 6.8 in the rehabilitated group, which was significantly higher compared to that among the non-rehabilitated cases 29.1 ± 6.9 (p < 0.001). Among the admitted patients, 16.6% required artificial pulmonary ventilation (APV), 1.8% extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and 11.9% high-flow oxygenation (HF). The days of rehabilitation ranged from 1–102 days. Among all rehabilitated patients, 92.0% (n = 1302) had a hospitalization duration ranging from 1–15 days and 8.0% (n = 114) longer than 15 days. Overall, rehabilitation care plays an important role in providing exercise, mobilization, and rehabilitation interventions to survivors of critical illness associated with COVID-19, enabling the early and functional return to home, and it must, therefore, be integrated into the clinical care of patients with COVID-19.

Data from 5173 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at the University Hospital of Ostrava (UHO) between March 2020 and December 2021 were analysed in this retrospective study. The research aimed to find out whether the comorbidities being present increased the need for acute rehabilitation during COVID-19 hospitalization. Data were examined using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and binomial logistic regression. Among the total patient cohort (n = 5173), 27% required rehabilitation (RHB). The average age of patients was 64.9 ± 16.9 years, with rehabilitation durations ranging from 1 to 102 days. Of the rehabilitated patients, 92% (n = 1302) had hospital stays from 1 to 15 days, while 8% (n = 114) stayed more than 15 days. Patients had a median of 4 diagnoses each, with approximately one-fifth having more than six diagnoses. A weak but statistically significant positive association was observed for the length of rehabilitation and the number of diagnoses (Spearman’s correlation coefficient rs = 0.24). Adjusted statistical analysis revealed that patients with concomitant neurological conditions (G62, G81 according to ICD-10) (OR = 8.4; 95% CI 4.82–14.67) and certain respiratory diseases had the highest likelihood of requiring rehabilitation during their COVID-19 hospitalization. Additionally, patients with obesity were approximately 1.4 times more likely to need RHB than non-obese patients. The need for rehabilitation increased with the number of comorbidities, with the greatest need connected with neurological diagnosis. In light of these findings, more effective strategies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention can be developed for future epidemics or pandemics. It is imperative to reinforce health recommendations. The analysis of data enables the formulation of evidence-based public health guidelines that can serve as the foundation for a prompt and effective response in the event of another pandemic.

The aim of the study was to examine recent patterns in maximal relative power output during ramp cycle ergometer testing among Czech youth ice hockey players between 2019 and 2023, and to quantify the proportion of players meeting historical performance benchmarks, which have previously been discussed in relation to paediatric fitness and cardiometabolic risk, while acknowledging that these power-based criteria do not directly measure cardiorespiratory fitness or health outcomes. Methods We analysed 1,433 ramp cycle ergometer tests performed in male ice hockey players aged 9–18 years at two accredited sports medicine centres, some players were tested repeatedly across different years. All tests followed an identical electronically braked incremental ramp protocol, and performance was expressed as relative maximal power output (W/kg). Results were classified as “within” or “below” benchmark values based on historical W/kg standards from adolescent athletes tested in the late 1970s. Between‑year differences in W/kg and anthropometric parameters (height, body mass, BMI) were assessed within age groups using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Overall, 49.1% (703/1,433) of tests achieved W/kg values within the benchmark range across 2019–2023, with marked age‑related differences. Only 16–38% of 9–12‑year‑olds met the benchmarks, compared with 80–89% of 15–18‑year‑olds. The proportion within benchmark increased from 44.9% in 2019 to 52.6% in 2023, with a transient dip during the COVID‑affected years 2020–2022. Within age groups, mean W/kg remained broadly stable over time, except for a modest improvement in 13–14‑year‑olds; anthropometric measures showed only small secular shifts. Discussion Contemporary Czech youth ice hockey players show largely stable maximal relative power output across 2019–2023, with a clear age-related gradient in the proportion meeting historical W/kg benchmarks. Observed between-year differences were modest and do not provide strong evidence of meaningful secular changes. Because we did not collect VO₂peak or direct cardiometabolic outcomes and relied on historical power-based benchmarks established under different testing conditions, any inferences about paediatric health risk should be interpreted with caution.