Association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with physical activity domains and types

Abstract

Lockdown imposed in the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak represented a specific setting where activity was restricted but still possible. The aim was to investigate the cross-sectional associations between physical activity (PA) and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a French population-based cohort. Participants completed a PA questionnaire. PA was classified into: (i) total PA; (ii) aerobic PA by intensity; (iii) strengthening PA; (iv) PA by domain and type; and (vii) by location. Sedentary time was also recorded. Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression models controlling for sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric data, health status, and adherence to recommended protective anti-SARS-CoV-2 behaviours were computed. From 22,165 participants included, 21,074 (95.1%) and 1091 (4.9%) had a negative and positive ELISA-S test result, respectively. Total PA, vigorous PA, leisure-time PA, household PA, outdoor PA and indoor PA were all associated with lower probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Observations made in such a setting shed light on PA possibilities in a context of restricted mobility, where the health benefits of PA should not be overlooked. Along with already well-established benefits of PA for non-communicable disease prevention, these findings provide additional evidence for policies promoting all types of PA as a lever for population health.

Figure 1

Participants flowchart, NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009–2020)—SAPRIS-SERO, France.

Figure 2

Associations between physical activity and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (ELISA-S), NutriNet-Santé cohort, 2020—SAPRIS-SERO, France. ELISA-S positive (n = 1091) compared to ELISA-S negative (n = 21,074) participants. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals per 30-min/week increments (A) and 250 MET-minutes/week increment (B) were obtained from multi-adjusted logistic regression models including sex (men/women), age, educational level (< high-school degree/high-school degree/undergraduate degree/graduate degree), employment status (no professional activity prior to lockdown: unemployed, retired, homemaker/short-time working/working outside home/working from home/student, trainee and other), smoking status (non-smoker, former smoker, smoker), presence of children and/or grandchildren aged under 18 years at home (yes/no), residential area (rural area/city < 20,000 inhabitants/city ≥ 20,000 to 100,000 inhabitants/city > 100,000 inhabitants), frequency of going out over the past week (never/once/2 to 5 times/6 to 10 times/ > 10 times), presence of chronic disease (yes/no), geographical area (Paris Basin/Centre-East/East/Mediterranean/North/West/Paris region/Southwest), BMI, month of blood draw (May–June/July/August–September–October), close relatives with COVID-19 symptoms (yes/no), and a composite score reflecting the adherence to recommended protective behaviors (range 0 to 9).