INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: The present randomized, single-center and single-blinded clinical trial tested the hypothesis that tele-supervised home-based exercise training (exercise) is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and functional capacity parameters in individuals that were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Thirty-two individuals (52 +/- 10 years; 17F) randomly assigned to exercise (N = 12) and control groups (N = 20), had their anthropometric (weight, body mass index), hemodynamic (brachial and central blood pressure), vascular (arterial stiffness), ventilatory (pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength), and functional parameters (handgrip strength, five-time sit to stand (FTSTS), timed up and go test (TUG) and six-minute walking test (6MWT)) assessed at baseline (30 to 45 days of hospital discharged) and after 12 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Both groups similarly increased (p < 0.001) forced vital capacity (absolute and % of predicted), forced expiratory volume in the first second (absolute and % of predicted), and handgrip strength during follow-up. However, only exercise group reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (-2.0 +/- 0.6 m/s, p = 0.048), and increased (p < 0.05) resting oxygen saturation (1.9% +/- 0.6), mean inspiratory pressure (24.7 +/- 7.1 cmH2O), mean expiratory pressure (20.3 +/- 5.8 cmH2O) and % of predicted mean expiratory pressure (14% +/- 22) during follow-up. No significant changes were found in any other variable during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings suggest that tele-supervised home-based exercise training can be a potential adjunct therapeutic to rehabilitate individuals that were hospitalized due to COVID-19.

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