Western-involved study shows positive impacts of physical activity on COVID outcomes

British Journal of Sports Medicine, looked at physical activity data involving more than 65,000 adult patients from South Africa who had COVID-19 between March 2020 and June 2021.Researchers found that patients with moderate to high levels of physical activity — 60 to 149 minutes per week, and 150-plus minutes per week, respectively — were associated with lower rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, ventilation, and death compared to those with low activity levels, defined as zero to 59 minutes per week.

Ontario reacts as province lifts most COVID-19 restrictions The 65,361 patients involved in the study were all from South Africa and accounted for demographics and comorbidities, the study says.

All were unvaccinated for data control purposes. The median age of participants was 41. Roughly 52 per cent were men.According to the study, patients who engaged in high levels of activity had a 34 per cent lower risk of admission, 41 per cent lower risk of ICU admission, 45 per cent lower risk of requiring ventilation, and a 42 per cent lower risk of death compared to participants who had low activity levels.“While older age, male sex, having a diagnosis of hypertension or type 2 diabetes increases the likelihood of poor COVID-19 outcomes, exercising at high levels may have an even more significant effect than in healthy individuals,” the study concludes.Physical activity records used for the study were captured by participant’s smart devices, clocked gym attendance, or recorded mass sports event participation as part of Vitality, a health promotion program linked to private medical insurer Discovery Health, “the largest open medical plan in South Africa,” the study says.