Physical inactivity and health inequality during coronavirus: a novel opportunity or total lockdown?

Shur, Natalie; Johns, David; Kluzek, Stefan; Peirce, Nicholas

Abstract

Government-restricted movement during the coronavirus pandemic in various countries around the world has led to rapid and fundamental changes in our health behaviour. As well as being at a higher risk of contracting and being hospitalised with COVID-19, the elderly, those with chronic disease and lower socioeconomic groups are also disproportionately affected by restriction of movement, further widening the physical activity health inequality. In this viewpoint we discuss the physiological sequelae of physical inactivity, and the additional burden of ageing and inflammation. We provide recommendations for public health promotion and interventions to try to mitigate the detrimental effects of physical inactivity and rebalance the health inequality.

Citation

Shur, N., Johns, . D., Kluzek, S., & Peirce, N. (2020). Physical inactivity and health inequality during coronavirus: a novel opportunity or total lockdown?. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 6(1), Article e000903. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000903

• Journal Article Type: Editorial
• Acceptance Date: Oct 8, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 10, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Dec 11, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 11, 2020
• Journal: BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine
• Print ISSN: 2055-7647
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e000903
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000903
• Keywords: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5140474
• Publisher URL: https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000903