Increased risk for signs and clinical symptoms associated with sedentary behaviour in people diagnosed with COVID-19: a retrospective observational study

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the association between sedentary behaviour (SB) and clinical signs and symptoms in individuals with COVID-19. Five hundred nine people diagnosed with COVID-19 were cross-sectionally assessed by telephone interviews. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms and SB (IPAQ-SV) were obtained. It was found an association between increased sedentary behaviour (ISB) and clinical signs/symptoms of COVID-19 (p<0.05). Controlling for the variables age, body mass index and moderate/vigorous physical activity, men with ISB had a higher occurrence of headache (OR 2.357; 95% CI 1.312-4.232) and cough (OR 2.508; 95% CI 1.268-4.959), women with ISB had a reduction in fatigue or tiredness (OR 0.574; 95% CI 0.353-0.932). Four or more hours of SB increased the risk of headache and cough in men. Women experienced reduced symptoms of fatigue/tiredness during COVID-19 diagnosis.

Keywords

• Physical Activity
• SARS-CoV-2
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Clinical outcomes