Pre-pandemic physical activity as a predictor of infection and mortality associated with COVID-19: Evidence from the National Health Insurance Service

Saengryeol Park; Hyeseong Kim; So-Youn Park; In-Hwan Oh

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1072198

Pre-pandemic physical activity as a predictor of infection and mortality associated with COVID-19: Evidence from the National Health Insurance Service

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 14:11:1072198. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1072198. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Saengryeol Park¹, Hyeseong Kim¹, So-Youn Park², In-Hwan Oh³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, College of Education, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Medical Education and Humanities, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
³ Preventive Medicine (AgeTech-Service Convergence Major), College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Introduction: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many populations have experienced reduced physical activity (PA) levels, weight gain, and increased anxiety and depression. However, according to a previous study, engaging in PA has a positive effect on damages caused by COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PA and COVID-19 using the National Health Insurance Sharing Service Database in South Korea.

Methods: Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of PA with COVID-19 and mortality. The analysis was adjusted for body mass index, sex, age, insurance type, comorbidity, and region of residence at baseline. Disability and lifestyle (weight, smoking, and drinking status) were adjusted consecutively.

Results: The results indicated that engaging in insufficient PA as per the WHO guidelines predicts a higher risk of COVID-19 when controlling for personal characteristics, comorbidity, lifestyle, disability, and mortality.

Discussion: This study revealed the need to engage in PA and manage weight to reduce the risk of infection and mortality associated with COVID-19. Because engaging in PA is an important component of weight management and can help restore physical and mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic, it should be emphasized as a pillar of recovery after COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19-associated mortality; lifestyle; physical activity; quarantine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Exercise
Humans
Insurance*
National Health Programs
Pandemics

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2022S1A5A8050449). This study was supported by the Translational R&D Program on Smart Rehabilitation Exercises (TRSRE-PS04), National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea.