Statistically significant lower risk is seen for mortality, ventilation, ICU admission, hospitalization, progression, recovery, and cases. 52 studies from 52 independent teams in 24 countries show significant improvements.
Meta analysis using the most serious outcome reported shows 39% [33‑44%] lower risk. Results are similar for higher quality and peer-reviewed studies.
Results are very robust — in exclusion sensitivity analysis 55 of 67 studies must be excluded to avoid finding statistically significant efficacy in pooled analysis.
Results are consistent with the overall risk of all cause mortality based on cardiorespiratory fitness — Laukkanen show RR 0.55 [0.50-0.61] for the top vs. bottom tertiles.
Most studies analyze activity levels before infection, comparing regular/moderate exercise and lower/no exercise. Risk may increase with more extreme activity levels. Exercise may also be beneficial after infection. One study shows lower COVID-19 mortality with exercise during hospitalization2.
No treatment or intervention is 100% effective. All practical, effective, and safe means should be used based on risk/benefit analysis.
All data to reproduce this paper and sources are in the appendix. 6 other meta analyses show significant improvements with exercise for mortality3-7, ICU admission3, hospitalization3,4,7,8, severity4-6, and cases4.
6 meta analyses show significant improvements with exercise for mortality
1-5,
ICU admission
1,
hospitalization
1,2,5,6,
severity
2-4, and
cases
2.
Covid Analysis et al., Oct 2024, preprint, 1 author.
