Increasing Movement Associated With Lower Likelihood Of Hospitalisation Due To COVID-19

A recent study published in 2021 from the peer-reviewed medical journal, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, highlights the importance of movement and physical fitness in the current pandemic with the researchers reporting that higher exercise capacity (increasing our energy expended through movement) is associated with a lower likelihood of hospitalisation due to COVID-19.  

The study, conducted in the United States assessed 246 people, average age 59 years, who completed an exercise stress test between January 1, 2016, and February 29, 2020, and had a test for SARS-CoV-2. In this study, exercise capacity was quantified in metabolic equivalents of task (METs). METs represent energy expended with 1 MET the energy spent sitting and an activity that used 4 METS, meaning you are using 4 times the energy if you were sitting still.  

From the sample, 89 (36%) were hospitalised due to contracting COVID-19. Even after controlling for participants characteristics known to be associated with risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19, the researchers reported that every one MET higher of exercise capacity was associated with 13% lower odds for hospitalisation. 

Our take at StriveStronger 

METS represent a great way to measure physical effort. For example, light activity such as strolling along at a slow pace or washing the dishes would usually be up to 3 METs, brisk walking or swimming leisurely 3-6 METs and vigorous exertion >6 METs. This study shows a linear relationship between exercise (energy expenditure) and risk of hospitalisation with COVID-19, a good reminder of how important movement and exercise are to both our cardiorespiratory and immune systems, both of which are major defences to warding off any virus encounter.   

The study is a reminder that we have the power to reduce COVID-19 hospitalisation risk in our hands, and feet, as well as reduce the risk of other virus-related respiratory illnesses; just by simply moving more. Although this study was observational and not experimental, it does highlight how such small increases in physical activity can have a profound effect on our respiratory and immune health.  

 Importantly, it is not necessary to run a marathon or complete a triathlon to get this protective benefit, this study suggests you just need to move more, with every little bit counting, no matter how little. And if possible, at StriveStronger we suggest you double up on the health benefits you get from activity/ exercise by doing it in green natural spaces (see our recent blog on the benefits of exercising in nature). 

You can read the full research paper here. 

Full reference:  

Brawner CA, Ehrman JK, Bole S, Kerrigan DJ, Parikh SS, Lewis BK, Gindi RM, Keteyian C, Abdul-Nour K and Keteyian SJ. Inverse Relationship of Maximal Exercise Capacity to Hospitalization Secondary to Coronavirus Disease 2019. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021;96:32-39.