Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase physical inactivity and the global burden of cardiovascular disease.

Tiago Peçanha, Karla Fabiana Goessler, Hamilton Roschel, Bruno Gualano

Journal: American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology 2020;318(6):H1441-H1446

PMID: 32412779

Plain Language Summary

Home isolation, adopted worldwide to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is likely to result in a profound decrease in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels and increase in sedentary behaviour. Literature shows that the potential increase in physical inactivity induced by the pandemic may have substantial repercussions for cardiovascular health. Achieving minimum physical activity levels and reducing sedentary behaviour in times of social isolation have become a challenge and, at the same time, a necessity for everyone. In fact, remotely supervised home-based interventions have been shown to significantly improve physical fitness in coronary artery disease and heart failure patients and to be equally effective in centre-based interventions for secondary prevention. Authors conclude that the recognition of the impact of physical inactivity on the burden of cardiovascular disease and the evidence-based interventions to counteract it is of paramount relevance to inform coordinated public health actions aimed at tackling both COVID-19 and inactivity pandemics simultaneously.

Abstract

Emerging data indicate a substantial decrease in global physical activity levels during the period of social isolation adopted worldwide to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Confinement-induced decreases in physical activity levels and increases in sedentary behavior may provoke a rapid deterioration of cardiovascular health and premature deaths among populations with increased cardiovascular risk. Even short-term (1-4 wk) inactivity has been linked with detrimental effects in cardiovascular function and structure and increased cardiovascular risk factors. In this unprecedented and critical scenario, home-based physical activity programs arise as a clinically relevant intervention to promote health benefits to cardiac patients. Many studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of different models of home-based exercise programs in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and major cardiovascular events among different populations. This body of knowledge can inform evidence-based policies to be urgently implemented to counteract the impact of increased physical inactivity and sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak, thereby alleviating the global burden of cardiovascular disease.

Address: Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.; Rheumatology Division, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.; Food Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00268.2020

Patient Centred Factor

Triggers: Physical inactivity

Clinical Imbalances

Immune and inflammation

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Exercise and movement

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Obesity Obese Physical activity Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular disease Visceral fat Cardiovascular health

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MeSH Terms: COVID-19, Cardiovascular Diseases, Coronavirus Infections, Cost of Illness, Global Health, Humans, Pandemics, Pneumonia, Viral, Sedentary Behavior, Social Isolation