Reduce risk of severe Covid with regular activity, study says. Here’s how to get in 22 minutes of exercise daily

A history of being consistently active is strongly associated with a reduced risk of severe Covid-19, according to a new study released Tuesday.

The Kaiser Permanente study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, looked at nearly 50,000 adults with Covid-19. The research found that those who met the target of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ physical activity guidelines — of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity — showed significantly lower incidences of hospitalization, ICU admission and death due to Covid-19 illness.
The guidelines, which are the same as the World Health Organization guidelines used by many nations, are based on research supporting the ability of physical activity to boost immune function, reduce systemic inflammation, increase pulmonary and cardiovascular health, and improve mental health.