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SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 35533

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alexander A. Hanke

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Guest Editor

1. Institute for Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hanover, Germany
2. Olympic Training Center Hanover, Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 2a, 30169 Hanover, Germany
Interests: sports medicine; physical activity; coagulation; platelets; analgesics; marathon; triathlon

Prof. Dr. Uwe Tegtbur

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Interests: sports medicine; exercise and metabolic syndrome; exercise physiology, physical activities in health and disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Arno Kerling

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Guest Editor

Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Interests: exercise and depression; exercise and metabolic syndrome; sports cardiology

Special Issue Information

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020 has had a major influence on the behavior of people across the world. As the virus is novel, little data are available on the impact of the virus and the related pandemic. Physical activity (PA) is an integral part of a well-established healthy lifestyle and as therapy for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. In the literature, the role of PA as a strong stimulus of immune function has been advocated. Facing this novel coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public health advisory organizations have encouraged individuals to initiate or continue regular PA to maintain physical fitness, mental health, and well-being if not contraindicated or restricted due to community security rules.

However, the influence of the pandemic on physical activity and sports is likely to have direct physical, social, and psychological effects. Furthermore, PA itself has been shown to directly influence aspects of the immune system. To date, it remains unclear whether there are any influences of PA on COVID-19 and the current pandemic.

Therefore, the current Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, titled “The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity”, provides an opportunity to submit high-quality research focused on the effects of PA on COVID-19 and the related pandemic, as well as the influence of the pandemic on PA.

Prof. Dr. Alexander A. Hanke
Prof. Dr. Uwe Tegtbur
Prof. Dr. Arno Kerling
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
physical activity
sports

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 1606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Activity during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Investigating the Reliance on Digital Technologies, Perceived Benefits, Barriers and the Impact of Affect

by Michelle Symons, Carmem Meira Cunha, Karolien Poels, Heidi Vandebosch, Nathalie Dens and Clara Alida Cutello

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5555; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115555 - 22 May 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4530

Abstract

The measures to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have been concentrated on inviting people to stay at home. This has reduced opportunities to exercise while also shedding some light on the importance of physical health. Based on an online survey, this paper investigated physical activity behaviours of a Belgians sample (n = 427) during the lockdown period between the end of May 2020 and the beginning of June 2020 and found that, during this period, the gap between sufficiently and insufficiently active individuals widened even more. This paper analysed important moderators of physical activity behaviours, such as barriers and benefits to exercise, digital support used to exercise, and individuals’ emotional well-being. Descriptive analysis and analyses of variance indicated that, generally, individuals significantly increased their engagement in exercise, especially light- and moderate-intensity activities, mostly accepted the listed benefits but refused the listed barriers, increased their engagement in digital support and did not score high on any affective measures. A comparison between sufficiently active and insufficiently active individuals during the lockdown showed that the former engaged even more in physical activity, whereas the latter exercised equally (i.e., not enough) or even less compared to before the lockdown. By means of a logistic regression, five key factors of belonging to the sufficiently active group were revealed and discussed. Practical implications for government and policies are reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity)

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11 pages, 450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cardiac Rehabilitation Based on the Walking Test and Telerehabilitation Improved Cardiorespiratory Fitness in People Diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Ladislav Batalik, Vladimir Konecny, Filip Dosbaba, Daniela Vlazna and Kristian Brat

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(5), 2241; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052241 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4437

Abstract

This study investigated an alternative home-based cardiac telerehabilitation model in consideration of the recommendations for the COVID-19 quarantine of people diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD). We hypothesized that using a 200 m fast walking test (200 mFWT) and telerehabilitation would create an effective alternative cardiac rehabilitation (CR) intervention that could improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants (n = 19, mean age 60.4 ± 9.6) of the 8-week intervention performed regular physical exercise at the target heart rate zone determined by calculations based on the 200 mFWT results. In our study, the participants were supervised using telerehabilitation. A total of 84% of participants completed the 8-week intervention. No adverse events were reported during telerehabilitation. The study participants noted a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in cardiorespiratory fitness expressed by an 8% reduction in the walking test time (Δ 8.8 ± 5.9 s). Home-based telerehabilitation based on 200 mFWT effectively increased the cardiorespiratory fitness in people with CHD with a low to moderate cardiovascular risk. This was a novel approach in CR during the COVID-19 pandemic. As research in this area is justified, this paper may serve as an alternative method of providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a basis for further upcoming randomized controlled trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity)

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9 pages, 3814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Officially Ordered Restrictions during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Patients after Kidney Transplantation in a Telemedicine Based Aftercare Program—A KTx360° Sub Study

by Alexander A. Hanke, Thorben Sundermeier, Hedwig T. Boeck, Elisabeth Schieffer, Johanna Boyen, Ana Céline Braun, Simone Rolff, Lothar Stein, Momme Kück, Mario Schiffer, Lars Pape, Martina de Zwaan, Sven Haufe, Arno Kerling, Uwe Tegtbur and Mariel Nöhre

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(23), 9144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17239144 - 07 Dec 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3406

Abstract

Guidelines recommend a healthy lifestyle and regularly physical activity (PA) after kidney transplantation (KTx). The KTx360° program is a multicenter, multisectoral, multimodal, telemedicine-based follow-up care program. Effects of the first COVID-19 wave restrictions on health-related quality of life and PA of supervised KTx360° patients were evaluated using an online questionnaire. Six hundred and fifty-two KTx360° patients were contacted via email and were asked to complete the Freiburg questionnaire of physical activity and the Short form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) online. Pre-pandemic and lockdown data were compared in 248 data sets. While sporting activity decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, basic and leisure activity increased, resulting in increased overall activity. The physical component scale of the SF-12 was in the low normal range before as well as during the pandemic, with a small but significant increase during the pandemic. The mental component scale showed normal values before and during pandemic with a small but statistically significant decrease. Our study supports the effectiveness of a telemedicine based program for KTx patient care in maintaining PA and quality of life during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, further research and observation during the ongoing pandemic are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity)

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Review

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22 pages, 588 KiB

Open AccessReview

Practical Recommendations for Maintaining Active Lifestyle during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review

by Ellen Bentlage, Achraf Ammar, Daniella How, Mona Ahmed, Khaled Trabelsi, Hamdi Chtourou and Michael Brach

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(17), 6265; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176265 - 28 Aug 2020

Cited by 141 | Viewed by 18830

Abstract

Diminished volumes of habitual physical activity and increased sedentary levels have been observed as a result of COVID-19 home-confinement. Consequences of inactivity, including a higher mortality rate and poorer general health and fitness, have been reported. This systematic review aimed to provide practical recommendations for maintaining active lifestyles during pandemics. In May 2020, two electronic databases (PubMed; Web of Science) were used to search for relevant studies. A total of 1206 records were screened by two researchers. Thirty-one relevant studies were included in this systematic review, in which the methodological quality was assessed. With regard to six studies, which explicitly dealt with physical activity during COVID-19, the evidence level is classified by three articles to level II, and in the other three to level VI. Regarding the physical activity recommendations in these papers, three of them were classified to a medium, and the same number to a weak evidence base. Of the 25 papers which refer to other pandemics and/or isolation situations, one was classified to evidence level I, four were ranged to level II, three to level III, one to level V, and the others to level VI. This systematic review revealed that reduced physical activity levels are of serious concern during home confinement in pandemic times. The recommendations provided by many international organizations to maintain active lifestyles during these times mainly target the general population, with less consideration for vulnerable populations (e.g., older adults, people with health issues). Therefore, personalized and supervised physical activity programs are urgently needed, with the option to group-play physical activity programs (e.g., exergames). These can be assisted, delivered, and disseminated worldwide through information and communication technology solutions. If it is permitted and safe, being active outside in daylight is advised, with an effort level of mild to moderate using the rating of perceived exertion scale. Relaxation techniques should be integrated into the daily routine to reduce stress levels. On the evidence base and levels of the included articles in this review, the results need to be interpreted with caution. Given that policies are different across regions and countries, further research is needed to categorize recommendations according to different social-distancing scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity)

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Other

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6 pages, 444 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Exercise in an Overweight Patient with Covid-19: A Case Study

by Amir Hossein Ahmadi Hekmatikar, Mahdieh Molanouri Shamsi, Zahra Sadat Zabhi Ashkazari and Katsuhiko Suzuki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5882; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115882 - 30 May 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2949

Abstract

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a dangerous infectious disease that is easily transmitted and which is called an acute respiratory syndrome. With the spread of the coronavirus around the world and its epidemic among humans, we are losing many humans. The long process of treatment in hospitalized patients who are receiving intensive care and medication is associated with physical weakness. It has been suggested that lifelong exercise can create a safe margin for a person that allows them to avoid becoming infected with the virus. The current study was conducted to assess the effects of low-intensity exercise and breathing exercises on cardiorespiratory responses and physical status in an overweight 20-year-old woman infected with COVID-19. The patient was referred to Hazrat Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan. The patient had initial symptoms of coronavirus including weakness, shortness of breath, fever, and chills, and the initial tests confirmed that the person was infected with the coronavirus. Although COVID-19 reduces respiration and blood oxygen and severely reduces movement and physical activity, low-intensity rehabilitation and breathing exercises along with medication can improve blood oxygen status, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and hand power status in patients and possibly speeding up the healing process. The results of the present study show that low-intensity exercise and breathing exercises in patients with COVID-19, whose disease severity is mild to moderate, can be performed safely under the supervision of their physicians to prevent the disease process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Physical Activity)

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