COVID-19 and aerobic exercise: possible role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2

Haidar Djemai; Rami Hammad; Ibrahim M Dabayebeh; Saleh Hammad; Abdellah Merzouk; Xavier Coumoul; Philippe Noirez

doi:10.1186/s13690-022-00983-3

COVID-19 and aerobic exercise: possible role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2

Arch Public Health. 2022 Nov 10;80(1):231. doi: 10.1186/s13690-022-00983-3.

Authors

Haidar Djemai^#^{1

2}, Rami Hammad^#³, Ibrahim M Dabayebeh⁴, Saleh Hammad⁵, Abdellah Merzouk⁶, Xavier Coumoul⁷, Philippe Noirez^{8

7

3

9}

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Research in bioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport (IRMES), National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP), 11 avenue du Tremblay, Paris, 75012, France. haidar.djemai@gmail.com.
² INSERM UMR-S 1124, Environmental Toxicity, Therapeutic Targets, Cellular Signaling & Biomarkers (T3S), Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, Paris, 75006, France. haidar.djemai@gmail.com.
³ Département des Sciences de l'Activité Physique, Faculté des Sciences, Pavillon des Sciences Biologiques, UQAM, 141 avenue du Président-Kennedy, H2X 1Y4, Montréal, QC, Canada.
⁴ Movement Science and Training, Faculty of Exercise Science, University of Jordan, Queen Rania St, PO Box 13617, 11942, Amman, Jordan.
⁵ Department of Physical and Health Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, 19328, Amman, Jordan.
⁶ Physiological Adaptations to Exercise and Rehabilitation to Effort (APERE), Université de Picardie Jules Vernes, Allée Paschal Grousset, 3300, 80025, Amiens cedex 1, EA, France.
⁷ INSERM UMR-S 1124, Environmental Toxicity, Therapeutic Targets, Cellular Signaling & Biomarkers (T3S), Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, Paris, 75006, France.
⁸ Institute for Research in bioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport (IRMES), National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP), 11 avenue du Tremblay, Paris, 75012, France.
⁹ Performance, Santé, Métrologie, Société (PSMS), UFR STAPS, Campus Moulin de la Housse, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Chemin des Rouliers, Reims, 51100, France.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

The emergence and circulation of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-set off a global health crisis. SARS-CoV-2 spreads faster than its two ancestors, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Several modes of transmission have been identified: via respiratory droplets, contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces, and potentially, bioaerosols. Various countries have taken preventive measures that may include partial or total lockdowns lasting weeks. The physical inactivity associated with lockdowns may promote cardiometabolic or other diseases, while physical activity may play a critical role in preventing them. Here we develop the hypothesis of the involvement of aerosols in the contamination process, the role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the potential benefits and harm of physical activity during lockdowns, and we suggest directions for future research.

Keywords: COVID-19; Outdoor exercise; Physical activity; SARS-CoV-2.