Physical activity is associated with lower incidence of COVID-hospitalisation in a non-linear dose-dependent fashion.

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• Dan Li, Shengzhen Jin, Ziying He, and Songtao Lu.
• School of Sports, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Jan 27; 102 (4): e32814e32814.

BackgroundMany people have experienced a high burden due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its serious consequences for health and everyday life. Prior studies have reported that physical activity (PA) may lower the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. The present meta-analysis explored the dose-response relationship between PA and the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization.MethodsEpidemiological observational studies on the relationship between PA and the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization were included. Categorical dose-response relationships between PA and the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization were assessed using random effect models. Robust error meta-regression models assessed the continuous relationship between PA (metabolic equivalent [Met]-h/wk) and COVID-19 hospitalization risk across studies reporting quantitative PA estimates.ResultsSeventeen observational studies (cohort\case-control\cross-section) met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Categorical dose-relationship analysis showed a 40% (risk ratio [RR] 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.71) reduction in the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization compared to the lowest dose of PA. The results of the continuous dose-response relationship showed a non-linear inverse relationship (Pnon-linearity < .05) between PA and the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. When total PA was < or >10 Met-h/wk, an increase of 4 Met-h/wk was associated with a 14% (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.85-0.87) and 11% (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.87-0.90) reduction in the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization, respectively.ConclusionsThere was an inverse non-linear dose-response relationship between PA level and the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. Doses of the guideline-recommended minimum PA levels by the World Health Organization may be required for more substantial reductions in the COVID-19 hospitalization risk.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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