Background and Objectives: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC, long COVID) is associated with persistent symptoms and marked reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but real-world data on rehabilitation and everyday functioning remain limited. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional online survey conducted between 15 April and 15 May 2024, we analysed 406 adults (308 women; mean age 36.0 ± 12.1 years) with ongoing post-COVID symptoms recruited from two moderator-supervised support communities. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and clinical items, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale. Participants indicated whether they had completed any form of rehabilitation targeting post-COVID problems (yes/no). Group differences were examined using Welch’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U and χ² tests, as appropriate. Multiple linear regression models with Bonferroni correction were used to explore associations between rehabilitation status, age, sex, symptom duration and outcomes. Results: Overall, 182 respondents (44.8%) reported rehabilitation and 224 (55.2%) did not. The groups did not differ significantly in age, sex distribution, BMI, number of infections, symptom duration or hospitalisation history. Most SF-36 domains, component summaries and PCFS differed significantly between groups, with small-to-large effects favouring respondents who reported rehabilitation. The largest effect sizes were observed for Vitality and Mental Health, whereas Physical Functioning showed no clear difference. In multivariable models, older age and longer symptom duration were consistently associated with poorer HRQoL, while rehabilitation status remained a robust correlate of better scores in several SF-36 domains, both component summaries, perceived health, and lower PCFS grades after correction for multiple testing. Conclusions: Although the cross-sectional design, self-reported data and non-standardised rehabilitation exposure preclude causal inference, the findings highlight the substantial HRQoL and functional burden of long COVID and suggest that, within a symptomatic population, reported completion of rehabilitation is positively associated with multiple aspects of everyday health and functioning.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of deep core muscle training in the plank position, using the Icaros^® system, integrated with virtual reality (VR), on selected posturographic parameters. Methods: To meet the stated objective, we utilized the Icaros^® therapeutic system (Icaros GmbH, Martinsried, Germany) for VR-based exercise. The posturographic parameters were measured using the FootScan^® force platform (Materialise Motion, Paal, Belgium). A representative sample of 30 healthy participants, 13 females and 17 males (age: 22.5 ± 2.1 years; weight: 65 ± 2.9 kg; height: 1.68 ± 0.4 m; BMI: 23.04 ± 1.75) was included in the study. All participants had no prior experience with VR. The selected posturographic parameters were the ellipse area (mm²) and traveled distance (mm), assessed four times at five-minute intervals, following a 15 min VR-based training session on the Icaros^® system. Results: The results revealed that the participants experienced a sense of instability after completing the 15 min VR session, as objectively demonstrated by changes in the measured parameters. Both the ellipse area and traveled distance showed a worsening trend during the first three measurements: immediately post-exercise, at 5 min, and at 10 min post-exercise. A downward trend was observed in the fourth measurement, taken 15 min after exercise. Statistically significant differences were found between both parameters: ellipse area (p = 0.000) and traveled distance (p = 0.000). Post hoc analysis further confirmed significant differences between the time points. Conclusions: Based on the findings, it is recommended that trainers and physiotherapists supervising athletes or patients using the Icaros^® VR system allow for a minimum rest period of 15 min in a seated or lying position following exercise. This recovery period appears essential to mitigate the sensation of instability and to reduce the risk of complications or injury due to potential falls.

Background and Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of deep core muscle training in the plank position using the Icaros® system, integrated with virtual reality (VR), on selected posturographic parameters. Methods: To meet the stated objective, we utilized the Icaros® therapeutic system (Icaros GmbH, Martinsried, Germany) for VR-based exercise. Posturographic parameters were measured using the FootScan® force platform (Materialise Motion, Paal, Belgium). A representative sample of 30 healthy participants,13 females and 17 males (age: 22.5 ± 2.1 years; weight: 65 ± 2.9 kg; height: 1.68 ± 0.4 m; BMI: 23.04 ± 1.75) was included in the study. All participants had no prior experience with VR. The selected posturographic parameters were Ellipse Area (mm²) and Traveled Distance (mm), assessed four times at five-minute intervals following a 15-minute VR-based training session on the Icaros® system. Results: The results revealed that participants experienced a sense of instability after completing the 15-minute VR session, as objectively demonstrated by changes in the measured parameters. Both Ellipse Area and Traveled Distance showed a worsening trend during the first three measurements—immediately post-exercise, at 5 minutes, and at 10 minutes post-exercise. A downward trend was observed in the fourth measurement, taken 15 minutes after exercise. Statistically significant differences were found in both parameters: Ellipse Area (p = 0.000) and Traveled Distance (p = 0.000). Post-hoc analysis further confirmed significant differences between the time points. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended that trainers and physiotherapists supervising athletes or patients using the Icaros® VR system allow for a minimum rest period of 15 minutes in a seated or lying position following exercise. This recovery period appears essential to mitigate the sensation of instability and to reduce the risk of complications or injury due to potential falls.