According to a pooled data analysis of the available evidence published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and severity, including hospital admission and death.
Pooled Data Analysis on the Effect of Exercise in Reducing COVID-19 Infection
The analysis suggests that a weekly total of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity provides the best protection. Previous research indicates that physical activity can reduce both the risk of infection and the severity of respiratory infections, owing to its ability to boost the immune system, at least in part.
The link between regular physical activity and COVID-19 severity is poorly understood but likely involves metabolic and environmental factors, according to the researchers, who set out to quantify the level of physical activity required to reduce the risks of infection, hospitalization, and death.
Databases as Reference for the Study
They searched three major research databases for relevant studies published between November 2019 and March 2022 and pooled the results of 16 of them. The studies included 1,853,610 adults, with women accounting for slightly more than half (54%).
The participants' average age was 53. Most of the studies were observational and conducted in South Korea, England, Iran, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Palestine, South Africa, and Sweden.
Research Findings on the Effect of Physical Activity in Preventing COVID-19
According to the pooled data analysis, those who included regular physical activity in their weekly routine had an 11% lower risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. They were also 36% less likely to be hospitalized, 44% less likely to have severe COVID-19 illness, and 43% less likely to die from COVID-19 than their physically inactive peers.
The maximum protective effect occurred around 500 Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) minutes per week, after which no further improvements were observed. METS measure the amount of energy (calories) expended per minute of physical activity, and 500 of them equal 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity.
Databases Limitations
The researchers warn that the study included observational studies, different study designs, subjective assessments of physical activity levels, and only looked at the Beta and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 rather than the Omicron variant, all of which may have weakened the findings. However, they claim that there are plausible biological explanations for what they discovered.
Regular moderate-intensity exercise may help boost the body's anti-inflammatory responses and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, which may explain its beneficial effects on COVID-19 severity. According to the researchers, their findings highlight the protective effects of adequate physical activity as a public health strategy, with potential benefits for lowering the risk of severe COVID-19.
Given the heterogeneity and possibility of publication bias, more studies using standardized methodology and outcomes are required.
Should you exercise after COVID?
According to NASM, Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 should avoid physical activity for 10-14 days, according to the CDC and healthcare professionals. This is due to the virus's highly contagious nature and the virus's ability to affect different individuals. Some people may have no symptoms, while others may have severe symptoms.
Dr. Daniel Montero, a sports medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, offers some tips on when to exercise. He said they advise patients to avoid exercise if they have symptoms below the neck, such as chest congestion, a hacking cough, or an upset stomach. If they have a fever, it is best to rest and recover the body for a few days. A fever is your body's telling you to slow down, and you must listen to it.
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