Influence of physical activity on psychological states in adults during the covid-19 pandemic / Influência da atividade física nos estados psicológicos de adultos durante a pandemia de covid-19

Introduction: Long periods of home confinement may lead to fear, panic, anxiety, and depression states, which, in turn, could drive to a reduction of active lifestyles. Objetive: To determine the association between the char-acteristics of the physical activity performed and the risk of experiencing mental health issues among people during confinement. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study design was conducted in Iberoamerican countries with a sample of 4,948 participants, selected through a snowball sampling technique. The study started on March 15th, 2020, and was completed in August 2020 through an online survey that includ-ed demographic and medical data, mental health status, and physical activity characteristics. Results: Brazilian women aged between 18 and 29 who stayed at home more than 19 hours per day presented a relevant higher risk for all the mental health problems analyzed in this study. A low level of physical activity during the isolation period presents the highest probability of depression compared to higher levels (OR = 1.317). In addition, using a no professional resource to do physical activity is a predictive factor of adverse mental health status (OR Anxie-ty = 1.396, OR Depression = 1.452, and OR Stress = 1.220). Conclusions: A low level of physical activity during a long isolation period is associated with a higher prevalence of depression, and the use of professional resources for physical activity may be a protective factor for mental health disorders (AU)

Introdução: Longos períodos de confinamento em casa podem levar ao medo, pânico, ansiedade e depressão, o que, por sua vez, pode estar relacionado à diminuição dos hábitos de atividade física. Objetivo: Determinar a as-sociação entre as características da atividade física praticada e o risco de apresentar problemas de saúde mental em pessoas durante o confinamento. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo multicêntrico, transversal e observacional em países ibero-americanos com uma amostra de 4.948 participantes, selecionados por meio de uma técnica de amostragem em bola de neve. O estudo teve início em 15 de março de 2020 e foi concluído em Agosto de 2020 por meio de um formulário online que incluiu perguntas sobre dados sociodemográficos e de saúde, além da avaliação do estado de saúde mental e características de atividade física. Resultados: As mulheres brasileiras com idade compreendida entre 18 e 29 anos que ficaram em casa mais de 19 horas por dia apresentaram um risco mais ele-vado para todos os problemas de saúde mental analisados neste estudo. Um baixo nível de atividade física durante o período de isolamento apresentou a maior probabilidade de risco de depressão em comparação com níveis mais elevados (OR = 1,317). Além disso, a utilização de um recurso não profissional para fazer atividade física foi um fator preditivo de estado de saúde mental adverso (OR Ansiedade = 1,396, OR Depressão = 1,452, e OR Estresse = 1,220). Conclusões: Um baixo nível de atividade física durante o período de isolamento está associado a maior prevalência de depressão, e a utilização de recursos profissionais para a atividade física pode ser um fator de pro-teção para os distúrbios de saúde menta (AU)

Effects of moderate-intensity intermittent hypoxic training on health outcomes of patients recovered from covid-19: the AEROBICOVID study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (preprint)

Background: Recent studies point to a lower number and a reduction in the severity of cases in higher altitude cities, with decreased oxygen concentration. Specific literature has shown several benefits of physical training, so, in this sense, physical training with hypoxic stimulus appears as an alternative that supports the conventional treatments of the COVID-19 patient's recovery. Thus, this study's primary aim is to analyse the effects of moderate-intensity intermittent hypoxic training on health outcomes in COVID-19 recovered patients. Methods: A clinical trial controlled double-blind study was designed. Participants (30-69 years old) will be recruited among those with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms, approximately 30 days after recovery. They will be included in groups according to the training (T) and recovery (R) association with hypoxia (H) or normoxia (N): a) TH:RH, b) TN:RH, c) TN:RN, and, last, d) the control group. The 8-week exercise bike intervention will be carried out with a gradual load increase according to the established periods, three times a week in sets of 5 minutes, 90 to 100% of the anaerobic threshold (AT), and a 2,5-minute break. Blood will be collected for genotyping. First, after four weeks (partial), after eight weeks, and later, four weeks after the end of the physical training intervention, participants will perform assessments. The primary outcome is the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). The secondary outcomes include lung function, inflammatory mediators, haematological, autonomic parameters, AT, body composition analysis, quality of life, mental health, anthropometric measurements, and physical fitness. The statistical analysis will be executed using the linear regression model with mixed effects at a 5% significance level. Discussion: This study is designed to provide evidence to support the clinical benefits of moderate-intensity intermittent hypoxic training as a part of the treatment of patients recovered from COVID-19. It may also provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of intermittent hypoxic training in different health conditions. Lastly, this study presents an innovative strategy enabling up to 16 participants in the same training session.Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry, RBR-5d7hkv. Registered after the start of inclusion; 3 November 2020; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5d7hkv

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR SEVERE COVID-19 IN ADULTS (preprint)

The identification of factors predisposing to severe COVID-19 in young adults remains partially characterized. Low birth weight (LBW) alters cardiovascular and lung development and predisposes to adult disease. We hypothesized that LBW is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 in non-elderly subjects. We analyzed a prospective cohort of 397 patients (18-70y) with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection attended in a tertiary hospital, where 15% required admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Perinatal and current potentially predictive variables were obtained from all patients and LBW was defined as birth weight [≤]2,500 g. Age (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.04 [1-1.07], P=0.012), male sex (aOR 3.39 [1.72-6.67], P<0.001), hypertension (aOR 3.37 [1.69-6.72], P=0.001), and LBW (aOR 3.61 [1.55-8.43], P=0.003) independently predicted admission to ICU. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) of this model was 0.79 [95% CI, 0.74-0.85], with positive and negative predictive values of 29.1% and 97.6% respectively. Results were reproduced in an independent cohort, from a web-based survey in 1,822 subjects who self-reported laboratory-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection, where 46 patients (2.5%) needed ICU admission (AUC 0.74 [95% CI 0.68-0.81]). LBW seems to be an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 in non-elderly adults and might improve the performance of risk stratification algorithms.