Association of physical activity levels and the prevalence of COVID-19-associated hospitalization.

Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.Sports Department, Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, INCT Nano-Biofar, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.Interdisciplinary Research Group in Translational Cardiology, Clinical Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil; Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil.Interdisciplinary Research Group in Translational Cardiology, Clinical Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil; Exercise Cardiology Research Group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil.Graduate Program in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, Laboratory of Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Guimarães LSP Consultoria Científica LTDA, Brazil.Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil.Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: marcelo.rs@usp.br.

Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2021;(9):913-918

Abstract

OBJECTIVES We compared physical activity levels before the outbreak and quarantine measures with COVID-19-associated hospitalization prevalence in surviving patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we investigated the association of physical activity levels with symptoms of the disease, length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation. DESIGN Observational, cross-sectional. METHODS Between June 2020 and August 2020, we invited Brazilian survivors and fully recovered patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 to respond to an online questionnaire. We shared the electronic link to the questionnaire on the internet. We collected data about clinical outcomes (symptoms, medications, hospitalization, and length of hospital stay) and cofactors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, preexisting diseases, socioeconomic and educational, and physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short version). RESULTS Out of 938 patients, 91 (9.7%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. In a univariate analysis, sex, age, and BMI were all associated with hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Men had a higher prevalence of hospitalization (66.6%, p = 0.013). Patients older than 65 years, obese, and with preexisting disease had a higher prevalence of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. In a multivariate regression model, performance of at least 150 min/wk (moderate) and/or 75 min/wk (vigorous) physical activity was associated with a lower prevalence of hospitalizations after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and preexisting diseases (PR = 0.657; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Sufficient physical activity levels were associated with a lower prevalence of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Performing at least 150 min a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 min a week of vigorous-intensity physical activity was associated with 34.3% reduction in prevalence.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Observational Study

Metadata

MeSH terms : Hospitalization