Taking part in regular physical activity is linked to a reduced risk of COVID-19 infection and severity of the disease, according to an analysis published today.
Spanish researchers analysed pooled data of available evidence. While previous research suggests physical activity can lessen both the risk of infection and the severity of respiratory infections, the link between regular physical activity and COVID-19 severity is poorly understood, they say.
The team, from Universitat de València, Valencia, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Pamplona, and CIBER de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, set out to quantify the threshold of physical activity that might be needed to lessen the risks of infection and associated hospital admission and death.
Writing in the latest edition of the *British Journal of Sports Medicine*, they found a weekly tally of 150 minutes of moderate intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity, afforded the best protection.
After searching three major research databases for relevant studies published between November 2019 and March 2022, they pooled the results from 16 studies out of an initial 291.
The studies included a total of 1,853,610 adults, of whom 54% were women. The average age of participants was 53.
Most of the studies were observational and were carried out in South Korea, England, Iran, Canada, the UK, Spain, Brazil, Palestine, South Africa and Sweden.
Those who included regular physical activity in their weekly routine had an 11% lower risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, as well as a 36% lower risk of hospital admission, a 44% lower risk of severe COVID-19 illness, and a 43% lower risk of death from the virus compared to their physically inactive peers.
Although the analysis included observational studies, differing study designs, subjective assessments of physical activity levels, and examined only the Beta and Delta variants, the researchers say there are plausible biological explanations for what they found.
Regular moderate-intensity exercise may help to boost the body’s anti-inflammatory responses, as well as cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, all of which may explain its beneficial effects on COVID-19 severity, they suggest.
“Our findings highlight the protective effects of engaging in sufficient physical activity as a public health strategy, with potential benefits to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19,” they write.
“Given the heterogeneity and risk of publication bias, further studies with standardised methodology and outcome reporting are now needed.”
Ezzatvar Y, Ramírez-Vélez R, Izquierdo M et al. Physical activity and risk of infection, severity and mortality of COVID-19: a systematic review and nonlinear dose–response meta-analysis of data from 1 853 610 adults. *British Journal of Sports Medicine* 23 August 2022; doi 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105733
Leave a Reply