Key result
Regular sports participation is linked to a ~44% lower risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death.
Why the study?
The impact of regular sports participation on the severity outcomes of COVID-19 disease was unclear.
Does regular sports participation reduce hospitalization or death in adult patients with COVID-19?
Cross-Sectional (n=4,694)
No
Does regular sports participation reduce hospitalization or death in adult patients with COVID-19?
Regular sports participation is associated with a significantly lower probability of hospitalization in adult patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms.
May support protective role of sports in COVID-19; cross-sectional data leave causality unproven and should not change practice.
PURPOSE: To compare the severity outcomes of COVID-19 disease between patients with and without regular sports participation. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the authors investigated all patients who visited the emergency department of Imam Khomeini hospital with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 from February 20 to April 20, 2020. Then the authors assessed all patient outcomes (outpatient vs hospitalization or death). Finally, the authors compared the outcomes between athletes with regular sports participation and others, adjusting for confounding factors of age and sex. RESULTS: Of all 4694 adult patients, 249 individuals (137 males and 112 females with mean [SD] age of 36.45 [9.77] y) had regular participation in different sport disciplines. Overall, 30 (12%) athletes were hospitalized or died (30 and 0, respectively) compared with 957 (21.5%) nonathletes (878 and 79, respectively). Athletes with regular sports participation were 1.49 times less likely to be hospitalized (P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Regular sports participation may positively affect the clinical outcome, regardless of confounding factors of age and sex. The probability of hospitalization in athletes with regular sports participation was 33% lower than nonathletes. However, more longitudinal studies are needed to determine the causal effects.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Halabchi et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in COVID-19 (n=4,694). Regular sports participation vs. No regular sports participation (nonathletes) was evaluated on Hospitalization or death (1.49 times less likely, p=0.044). Regular sports participation was associated with a lower rate of hospitalization or death in adult COVID-19 patients compared to nonathletes (12% vs 21.5%; P=0.044).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: