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Review
. 2023;19(1):55-67.
doi: 10.1007/s11332-022-01028-6. Epub 2023 Jan 7.

Relationship between physical exercise and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2): systematic review

Robson Chacon Castoldi  1   2 , Juliana Cristina de Ângelo  3 , Thiago Teixeira Pereira  4   5 , Rodrigo Martins Dias  6 , Fábio Juliano Negrão  1
Affiliations
Review

Relationship between physical exercise and COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2): systematic review

Robson Chacon Castoldi et al. Sport Sci Health. 2023.

Abstract

Background: The SARS-CoV virus is a precursor to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) and has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Although exercise can be a non-pharmacological means for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, the effects on COVID-19 patients are not yet completely clear.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical exercise and symptoms caused by COVID-19.

Methods: The present systematic review was sent for evaluation and received the PROSPERO registration protocol-CRD42021257475. The search for studies related to health and physical exercise was carried out in the following databases; the "National Library in Medicine MEDLINE-Ovid", "Embase", "Web of Science", "SportDiscus-Ebsco", and "Scopus".

Results: Ten articles were included in the systematic review and the findings demonstrated the protective effects of physical exercise in patients with COVID-19. These effects were observed both in symptoms and in the period of hospitalization. In addition, the results show that the benefits of physical exercise seem to collaborate both in an individual manner and as an alternative to drug therapy. Finally, it was possible to verify the effect of physical exercise on variables, such as quality of life, cardiorespiratory capacity, and immunological biomarkers, and on the symptoms of the new Coronavirus.

Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that physical exercise can be a component for the treatment of COVID-19. In addition, it could help to reduce the symptoms and severity of COVID-19, and may be considered as an adjunct to drug therapy in patients contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: COVID-19; Physical activity; Physical exercise; Randomized Clinical Trial; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Determination of the criteria established in the study–PICOS
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flowchart showing the selection and inclusion/exclusion of the articles
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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