Research out of China and published in the science journal PLOS ONE supports the idea that physical activity can help improve the body’s immune system response to COVID-19.
The paper showed regions of mainland China where physical exercise was prevalent leading up to the pandemic benefited the most.
These areas experienced higher proportions of cured individuals, reduced morbidity, and lower mortality compared to locations where the population engaged in less movement.
Physical activity was already known to help boost the immune system and provide broad physical and mental benefits, but its impact on COVID-19 specifically was less well understood.
Regular and deliberate movement can generate neurological and circulatory improvements, among many other benefits.
Exercise is often prescribed to help prevent not only metabolic diseases, like Type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis, but to help treat them as well.
Since physical activity aids in many areas of health, it was natural to assume it may also help protect against COVID-19.
The researchers analyzed 279 prefecture-level cities covering every province in mainland China. Data was collected from January through March 2020 at the outset of the pandemic.
The information on physical activity was obtained from the National Fitness Development Survey Bulletin, the National Fitness Report, and the National Fitness Action Program.
The study compared the amount of physical activity in a region to the recorded levels of morbidity, mortality, and cure rates.
The results revealed that higher levels of exercise negatively correlated with morbidity and mortality and positively correlated with higher cure rates.
In other words, regions that exercised more experienced less death, fewer symptoms, and reduced complications stemming from COVID-19.
The data also revealed that high-risk COVID regions in China experienced even greater benefits of physical activity compared to regions with lower risks. This relationship was strongest in protecting against morbidity.
The study helps support what has long been theorized: Individuals who exercise regularly enjoy greater protection against infection, including COVID-19 infection.
