New Delhi: COVID-19 seems to be spreading its tentacles once again. As India sees a rising upward trend in the infection rate, a new study could pave the way for avoiding viral infection. According to the latest research, regular exercise and physical activity lower the risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 or getting seriously ill with the infection.
Researchers estimated that physical activity and fitness exercise for 20 minutes a day can provide much-needed benefits in the fight against the viral pandemic. The study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Researchers analysed a database of relevant studies published between November 2019 and March 2022 and included 1.8 million adults, of which 54 per cent were women. While the average of participants was 53, most of the studies were from South Korea, England, Iran, Canada, the UK, Spain, Brazil,
and Palestine.
Here is what it found:
- Regular physical activity seems to be related to a lower likelihood of adverse COVID-19 outcomes.
- 50 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity a week can have long-term benefits.
- People involved in regular physical activity have 11 per cent less chance of getting infected by SARS-CoV-2, 36 per cent less chance of severe COVID that requires hospitalisation, and 43 per cent lower risk of death.
- Apart from being a way to escape severe COVID-19, physical activity has also been identified as a driver of avoiding several post-COVID symptoms and effects like obesity, and sleeplessness, among others.
- The relationship between regular physical activity and COVID-19 severity could probably involve metabolic and environmental factors.