The benefits of regular physical activity are now well known. According to Health Canada, “Physical activity improves health and well-being, reduces stress, strengthens the heart and lungs; increases energy levels, helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and promotes a positive lifestyle ”.
Height of happiness? A recent survey, carried out in the United States, has shown that the practice of physical activity on a regular basis is linked to a reduced risk of developing severe complications linked to COVID-19!
Results of the study
The study was conducted on 48 adult patients, residents of the state of California, from January 440, 1 to October 2020, 21.
The three categories of physical activity established were:
- Inactive: 0-10 minutes / week;
- Low activity level: 11-149 minutes / week;
- Consistently meets Recommendations *: 150+ min / week.
*The Canadian recommendations are also 150+ min of physical activity / week.
Taking into consideration the influence of factors like age, race, and medical conditions, inactive patients who had been infected with COVID-19 had:
- 2,26 times more likely to be hospitalized than the active infected;
- 1,73 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care than those with active infections;
- 2,49 times more risk of death than the active infected.
Patients with COVID-19 who were inactive were also at greater risk of hospitalization, ICU admission and death than those with low activity levels.
Obviously, this type of observational study should always be taken with a grain of salt, because it is difficult to establish a cause and effect relationship: we are talking more about correlations. On the other hand, it was the most important factor among the risk factors qualified as "modifiable":
- level of physical activity;
- smoker (cigarette);
- obesity;
- diabetes;
- hypertension;
- cardiovascular illnesses;
- Cancer.
The importance of promoting physical activity
Le US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a host of risk factors that would increase the severity of COVID-19 symptoms such as advanced age, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
On the other hand, the authors of the study strongly suggest that the public health authorities inform the population that apart from vaccination and basic health measures (wearing a mask and physical distancing for example), physical activity is probably one of the most important things people can do.
This is all the more important since during the pandemic, the world population was forced to stay at home in order to avoid any spread of the virus which resulted in a reduction in the level of physical activity for many people.
In fact, doing physical activity on a regular basis is a good way to boost the immune system.
Obviously, to control the epidemic, vaccination and compliance with health measures are essential. On the other hand, if you were missing a reason to increase your level of physical activity, this study might just be the missing piece!
Whether it is to be able to follow your children during your soccer games, to reduce your stress level or to limit the impact of COVID-19, there are all good reasons to aim for 150+ minutes of physical activity / week!
In fact, an easy and effective way to increase the amount of physical activity you do could be to get yourself Altterre training equipment. You will thus be able to concoct a diversified, interesting and effective workout, regardless of the location!