The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Body Exercise

As the new novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, people are being requested to stay at home (self-quarantine). Staying at home inactive for a long period is a big challenge to our health. Currently, in most countries, fitness centers and other places where people used to do exercises are temporarily closed. The low level of physical activity and sedentary behavior may have directly or indirectly negative effects on our health, well-being, and quality of life. TheWorld Health Organization (WHO) recommends moderate-intensity (for at least 150 minutes) or vigorous-intensity (for at least 75 minutes) physical activity per week. Physical activity can be a valuable tool to continue to protect health during the COVID-19 crisis (1). The research has discovered that exercise can reduce the risk of some respiratory problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The ARDS is a respiratory failure characterized by the rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs that prevents oxygen from reaching the organs, and it has been reported in many COVID-19 patients (2). The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the majority (around 42%) of the COVID-19 hospitalized patients develop ARDS and the ARDS was the cause of death among many patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (3).