Leisure time physical activity and SARS-CoV-2 infection among ELSA-Brasil participants

• Autor(a) principal: Pitanga, Francisco Jose Gondim
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Almeida, Maria da Conceição Chagas de, Duncan, Bruce Bartholow, Mill, José Geraldo, Giatti, Luana, Molina, Maria Del Carmen Bisi, Fonseca, Maria de Jesus Mendes da, Schmidt, Maria Inês, Griep, Rosane Harter, Barreto, Sandhi Maria, Matos, Sheila Maria Alvim de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UFRGS
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10183/270782
• topic: Exercício físico; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Inquéritos e questionários; Fatores epidemiologicos; Estudos longitudinais; Comportamento sedentário; Epidemiologia; Brasil; Physical activity

The regular practice of physical activity (PA) can reduce the chance of aggravation of the disease and lower rates of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19, but few studies have analyzed the association of PA with the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between PA and self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. A longitudinal study was conducted with data from 4476 ELSA-Brasil participants who had their PA analyzed twice, once in 2016–2018 and again in 2020. PA was identified using the IPAQ at both follow-up moments and categorized into four groups: (a) remained physically inactive (reference); (b) remained physically active; (c) became physically active in the second moment; and (d) became physically inactive in the second moment. The variables of age, sex, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and specific protective practices against COVID-19 were tested as possible confounders. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used. Remaining physically active was associated with a 43% reduction in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection only among those who used specific practices to protect against COVID-19, OR = 0.57 and CI = 0.32-0.99. The results suggested that regular practice of PA can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially among those who have used specific practices to protect against COVID-19 during the pandemic.