The COVID-19 pandemic has made many of us appreciate long runs, hiking, and exercising outdoors more than ever before.  As we all deal with abnormal amounts of stress and anxiety, more individuals are leaning on exercise to cope with these feelings during such an unusual time.  Health experts often discuss the impact that regular exercise has on our overall quality of life. But is it an effective COVID-19 prevention strategy?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, no scientific data currently exists on the relationship between exercise and its impact on coronaviruses. Still, there is evidence that exercise can protect individuals from other viral infections.  Each exercise session mobilizes immune cells that recognize and kill virus-infected cells through recirculation and releases proteins that can help maintain immunity.  This means that individuals who exercise regularly are often more resistant to infections and recover quickly if they become infected with a virus (Simpson, 2020). 

Additionally, research shows that an antioxidant enzyme called extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) is produced in large quantities during cardiovascular exercise, and it can reduce the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is one of the complications people suffer from after contracting COVID-19. The research suggests that if you exercise regularly, you will have more EcSOD and deal with stressors better, which may protect individuals with COVID-19 severe complications from the virus (Garson, 2020). 

However, where and how you exercise should be considered if you are looking to add a fitness routine into your schedule as a personal prevention strategy.  If COVID-19 restrictions in your area allow gyms and fitness centers to be open, ensure the location you choose is carefully following the CDC recommendations for Gyms and Fitness Centers and check your local restrictions, which can vary in each state.  For instance, in San Diego, gyms, and fitness centers can operate outdoors where physical distancing is more accessible. However, in San Francisco, gyms and fitness centers are allowed to host exercise classes and other functions if they follow certain COVID-19 restrictions such as social distancing and pods around classes and exercise machines (Ross, 2020).

While there is no guarantee that regular exercise can prevent COVID-19, it is reassuring to know that if you are already regularly exercising, there is an added health benefit beyond improved mental health and an overall risk reduction of various diseases such as heart disease or various cancers.  If you are not currently active and that you have been debating on starting an exercise routine in response to COVID-19, the World Health Organization recommends that you exercise outside and begin slowly with low-intensity activities like walking and low impact exercises. Adults should do a total of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week, but the organization recognizes that any physical activity is better than none (World Health Organization, 2020).  

As stated earlier, outdoor exercise can help manage anxiety and stress during this challenging time, and experts also recommend it for individuals working remotely to help break up the day.  If an active lifestyle isn’t currently a part of your routine, this new information should encourage you to start, as there truly isn’t a better time to spend more time on your health and wellness.

References

Garson, P., Research Provides Hints About Why Excercise May Help Protect Against COVID-19 Complications, May 2020

Simpson, R., Excercise, Immunity and the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2020

Ross, M., The COVID-19 gym experience, June 2020

World Health Organization, Be Active during COVID-19, March 2020