Action plan to increase physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, defined as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by WHO on 30 January 2020, has forced governments to take several public health mitigation measures including various social isolation and physical distancing. 1 Public health measures including social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene might be barriers to physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 These policies will have consequences on lifestyle including physical activity level. 3 Physical activity is defined as any movement of the body, involving skeletal muscles and consuming energy. 4 Based on the world health organization recommendations 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity is mandated for individuals to achieve health benefits. 4 Physical activity and participation in sports have a protective effect against COVID_19. 5-7 Meanwhile, physical activity is a leading protective factor for chronic diseases that increase the severity and mortality rate of COVID-19. 2