Physical Activity and Mortality Due to Covid-19 in the Brazilian Capitals: An Ecological Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies have analyzed the association between physical activity and hospitalizations or mortality as a result of the new coronavirus, particularly in Brazil. Objective: To analyze the association between physical activity and deaths by Covid-19 in the Brazilian capitals. Method: An observational cross-sectional ecological study, in which data on the prevalence of physical activity during leisure time, and deaths by Covid-19 were analyzed for twenty-six Brazilian capitals plus the Federal District. Data were collected through the Risk Factor Surveillance System for chronic non-communicable diseases, and SUS Analytical for COVID-19 in Brazil, of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. For the data analysis, simple Pearson correlation and multiple regression were used, with a level of significance of 5%. Results: The data show the existence of an inverse correlation between physical activity during leisure time and accumulated deaths (r = −0.44, p = 0.03), mortality rate/100,000 inhabitants (r = −0.43, p = 0.02), and the lethality of the disease (r = −0.51, p = 0.01). They also show an inverse association between physical activity during leisure time and accumulated deaths (β = −485.1, p = 0.04), as well as with the lethality of the disease (β = −0.21, p = 0.02), even after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion: The inverse association observed between physical activity, accumulated deaths, and lethality of Covid-19 can bring important reflections on the actions that have been implemented by government agencies, at both state and municipal levels, in relation to the practice of physical activity by the population. Level of evidence III; Cross-sectional ecological study.

Body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight or obese people post COVID-19: A comparative study

“…However, actions that encourage the regular and systematic practice of physical activity, i.e., with emphasis on resistance exercises to promote changes in body composition, with a reduction in fat mass and an increase in musculoskeletal mass (with a consequent change in body fat percentage, in addition to aerobic exercise, to improve cardiorespiratory conditioning ( Garber et al, 2011 ), have become essential for improving physical fitness and thus the health of the population. The literature has already pointed out an inverse correlation between the level of physical activity and accumulated deaths from COVID-19 ( Pitanga et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Supporting this perspective, Sallis et al (2021) reported that physically inactive people who had COVID-19 had a higher rate of hospitalization and ICU admission than physically active people. Pitanga et al (2021) identified in an ecological analysis, in 26 Brazilian capitals and the federal district, an inverse correlation between the practice of physical activity in leisure time and deaths from COVID-19 (r = -0.44; p = 0.03) and lethality (r = −0.51; p = 0.01). Similarly, Barbagelata et al (2021) found that asymptomatic patients had a significantly higher peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak) in the Bruce test than those with long-term COVID conditions.…”

“…Science has discussed better outcomes given modifiable aspects for people who contracted COVID-19, such as reduced fat mass ( Maffetone and Laursen, 2020 ), increased cardiorespiratory fitness ( Af Geijerstam et al, 2021 ; Brandenburg et al, 2021 ), increased muscle strength ( Af Geijerstam et al, 2021 ), and a higher level of physical activity ( Pitanga et al, 2021 ). Supporting this perspective, Sallis et al (2021) reported that physically inactive people who had COVID-19 had a higher rate of hospitalization and ICU admission than physically active people.…”

Leisure Time Physical Activity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection among ELSA-Brasil Participants

“…As of 2021, specific articles on physical activity and COVID-19 began to be published, demonstrating that among the most physically active individuals, there was a lower chance of aggravation of the disease and lower rates of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19 [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The scientific evidence produced led the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to consider physical inactivity as a high-risk factor for the development of the most serious forms of COVID-19 [ 8 ].…”

Physical Activity, Empowerment of the Immune System and Public Health: What We Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The empowerment of the immune system, through the practice of physical activity, to minimize the adverse effects of the infectious process caused by the “SARS-CoV-2” virus has been reported since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 1 ]; however, the first articles on the topic were only recently published, which reported a reduction in aggravation of the disease, reduction in hospital admissions and a decrease of death from COVID-19, as well as a reduction in the possibility of infection by the “SARS-CoV-2” virus [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”