https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7924-0004
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Abstract
Background
Physical activity is a known preventive measure for many worldwide public health issues. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between physical activity and the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.
Patients and Methods
This was a retrospective matched case–control study involving adult participants quarantined with IAU, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The total randomized sample of study participants were 142, in which 73 of them were tested positive for COVID-19 test and matched for both age and sex with their respective healthy controls who tested negative for COVID-19 test to determine the risk associated with that exposure.
Results
Several variables are assessed regarding their influence on the susceptibility of COVID-19 infection. Exactly half indicated that they were physically active (n = 71). Physical activity did not show any significant association with COVID-19 contraction (x2= 0.254, P= 0.614) nor self-rated level of physical activity (x2= 0.122, P= 0.727). Less than half of the participants who had contact with a COVID-19 patient within 14 days of admission to quarantine appeared to have a significantly higher incidence of positive COVID-19 swab results compared to those who did not (x2= 27.121, P= <0.001). While third of the participants who indicated that they have had a contact with someone who have Respiratory symptoms or fever within 14 days before admission were tested positive for COVID-19. Participants with lower educational degrees are more likely to be infected with COVID-19. While the rest of the demographic variables appear to be not significantly related to the likelihood of being COVID-19 infected, these include gender, marital status, employment status, age, and BMI.
Conclusion
The present study showed no significant association between physical activity and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. We recommend a larger sample size to further clarify the relationship between other variables and susceptibility of COVID-19.
Data Sharing Statement
Data can be available from the corresponding author upon request.
Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
Ethical approval is obtained from the Institutional Review Board in Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal university (IRB-UGS- 2021-01-154). Participants were asked to verbally consent to participate in the study prior to their participation.
Consent for Publication
The corresponding author on behalf of the coauthors in the study would like to provide the journal their consent to publish the manuscript.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge Editage.com for their great editorial services and excellent proof reading.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.