Muscle Strength Explains the Protective Effect of Physical Activity against COVID-19 Hospitalization among Adults aged 50 Years and Older.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Physical activity has been proposed as a protective factor for COVID-19 hospitalization. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. Here, we examined the association between physical activity and COVID-19 hospitalization and whether this relationship was explained by other risk factors for severe COVID-19.

Method

We used data from adults aged 50 years and older from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The outcome was self-reported hospitalization due to COVID-19 measured before August 2020. The main exposure was usual physical activity, self-reported between 2004 and 2017. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results

Among the 3139 participants included in the study (69.3 ± 8.5 years, 1763 women), 266

SUBMITTER: Maltagliati S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7941660 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature