Exercise: A Protective Measure or an “Open Window” for COVID-19? A Mini Review

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to at least 115 countries and caused an alarming number of deaths. The current outbreak has lead authorities from many countries to adopt several protective measures, including lockdown and social distancing. Although being a reasonable measure to counteract the COVID-19 contamination, the restrictive measures have limited individual's ability to perform exercise outdoors or in gyms and similar facilities, thus raising the risks for chronic health conditions related to a sedentary lifestyle. The recent exercise recommendations to counteract the potential deleterious effects of COVID-19-related lockdown have not fully addressed resistance exercise interventions as potential home-based exercise strategies. Additionally, the following questions have been constantly raised: (1) Is training status capable of protecting an individual from COVID-19 infection?; and (2) Can a single endurance or resistance exercise session acutely increase the risks for COVID-19 infection? Therefore, the current mini review aimed to focus on these two concerns, as well as to discuss the potential use of practical blood flow restriction and no load resistance training as possible resistance exercise strategies that could be performed during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) related public-health measures on training behaviours of individuals previously participating in resistance training: A cross-sectional survey study

“…This may have implications for the efficacy of RT given the important role that effort may play in determining outcomes [2,37]. This outcome may be explained, at least in part, by fears of immunosuppression and subsequent risk of infection considering the 'open window' theory and the dose-response impact of intensity of effort [24,38]. Perhaps a more salient factor though may be motivation; indeed, current motivation for training was skewed towards being lower during-lockdown.…”

“…DOI: STORK.3389.XXXX SportRxiv is free to access, but not to run. Please consider donating at www.storkinesiology.org/annual 24…”

“…While one report suggested that women and younger ages groups may have reduced engagement in RT [20], others have reported RT as being a more common form of exercise during-the lockdown [18]. With the closure of the typical locations for engaging in RT, many have offered recommendations to adapt and continue engagement in 'muscle strengthening activity' such as RT at home, and with alternative modalities (such as bodyweight exercise or home equipment), both for the general population [21][22][23][24][25], and for sports participants [26][27][28].…”

Pandemic, social isolation and the importance of people-plant interaction

“…The concern over physical and mental health in the context of the pandemic generated a series of recommendations for practices that assist the population in activities that can be developed at home or remotely, as in the case of physical exercises, with benefits such as the preservation of muscle mass levels and strength (Ferreira Jr. et al, 2020). The Cultural Association of Occupational Therapists of the State of Paraná (ACTOEP) published the guide "Practical guidelines for healthy routines" (ACTOEP, 2020).…”

COVID-19: Recent Trends in the World and Precautionary Measures

“…Personal and environmental hygiene is very important to avoid this virus. It includes washing hand properly and frequently, use of WHO recommended sanitizers and disinfectants [13].…”