Practicing at least 2h30 of physical activity per week would protect against serious forms of Covid-19, especially for overweight people, reveals a new study.
- The conclusions of this study must be taken “with caution”, in particular because they are based on the indications given by the patients themselves on their physical activity.
- A new wave of Covid-19 in the fall is “almost certain” alerted the new Scientific Council.
As the start of the school year approaches and with it the fear of an 8th wave of Covid-19, Spanish researchers have made a discovery which could make it possible to avoid developing a serious form.
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicinetheir study finds that regular physical activity is associated with lower risk”infection” to the coronavirus, as well as to a better prognosis in matters “hospitalizations, severity and mortality“.
Ideal frequency
According to their analysis, which takes up and compiles around fifteen pre-existing works, 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week would be the ideal frequency. The authors conclude that in case of regular activity the risk of infection is slightly reduced and, above all, that that of hospitalization decreases by about a third (-36%) and that of death by almost half (-43%). %).
The benefits of physical activity to strengthen the immune system and fight against respiratory diseases were already known, but this meta-analysis looked exclusively at COVID-19.
Limit overweight
It is also the fact that sport limits overweight, a risk factor for serious COVID, which comes into play, as the authors point out. Their findings could “guide doctors and health authorities“As to how much physical activity to recommend, especially for patients at high risk of severe COVID, the authors conclude.