The Role of Physical Activity in COVID-19 Mortality Rate: A Cross-Sectional Study

Recent evidence suggests a negative correlation between physical activity and the incidence and severity of noncommunicable chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. This study explores the potential influence of physical activity levels on the mortality rate and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recovery.

This descriptive analytical cross-sectional study evaluated 175 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to Baqiyatallah Hospital. The participants' hospitalization data and physical activity levels were assessed. The Mann-Whitney U test explored the association between physical activity and COVID-19 outcomes.

Findings revealed that COVID-19 patients had a mean (SD) physical activity score of 6.55 (1.76) out of a possible 15. The mean scores for physical activity in work, sport, and leisure environments were 2.69 (0.49), 1.37 (1.45), and 2.49 (0.59) out of 5, respectively. Surviving patients exhibited significantly higher sports-specific and overall physical activity levels than those who succumbed to the disease. A Man-Whitney U test results noted statistically significant relationship between total and sports-specific physical activity, hospitalization (interquartile range (IQR) 2.3-3.06, p = 0.020 and IQR 2.5-3, p = 0.010, respectively), and mortality (IQR 0.44-2.75, p = 0.020 and IQR 1.47-2.97, p = 0.020).

In summary, increased total physical activity, particularly in a sports environment, appears to be linked with reduced COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality rates.