New research out of Kaiser Permanente finds that physical inactivity is a top predictor of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Major findings include:
- Physical inactivity was the third most significant risk factor for COVID-19 death, trailing only older age (over 60) and a history of solid organ transplant.
- Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were consistently inactive during the two years preceding the pandemic were more likely to have severe outcomes compared to the consistently active. Being consistently inactive more than doubled odds of hospitalization. Odds of ICU admission were 1.73 times higher and odds of death were 2.49 times higher for the consistently inactive.
- While meeting the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines was associated with the most significant benefits, even those doing some physical activity were at lower risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, including death, than people who remained consistently inactive.
The peer-reviewed study was authored, in part, by Dr. Robert Sallis, who was recently appointed to IHRSA’s Medical, Science, and Health Advisory Council. Learn more on ihrsa.org or read the full study at The BMJ.