While it is unclear why COVID-19 effect more than others and why such “healthy” young adults get such serious infections is still unclear. However, one factor is clear, people who are more physically more active can lower their risks of infection severity and infection. A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reinforces the data.

The investigators pooled 16 prior studies together, totaling 1,853,610 adult participants, withe the average age of 53 from multiple countries including Palestine, South Korea, England, Iran, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, Sweden, Spain, and South Africa.

Their analysis suggested that approximately 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week lowered the risk of COVID19 infection by as much as 11%. Additionally, if infected, the physical activity had additional protective effects including 36% lower risk of hospital admission, 44% lower risk of severe illness, and 43% lower risk of dying from COVID-19.

As to how physical activity protects against COVID-19 is not specifically known, however we do know exercise multiple protective mechanisms from infections including decrease inflammation, improving air and blood flow, pumping lymph and white blood cells through the body, and creating more physiological resilience to stress.

In conclusion, you should exercise and not make any excuses. There’s like zero excuses to not exercise. Zero.

Y Ezzatvar et al. Physical activity and risk of infection, severity and mortality of COVID-19: a systematic review and nonlinear dose–response meta-analysis of data from 1 853 610 adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105733