COVID-19: A pandemic that threatens physical and mental health by promoting physical inactivity.
Sports Med Health Sci
; 2(4): 221-223, 2020 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1023749
ABSTRACT
Ever since the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019, it has killed millions of people worldwide. Even people not stricken by this disease are not spared from its negative economic, social, and health-related drawbacks. This commentary provides insight into the potential mechanisms involved in the development of depression and emotional negativity escalating during the current pandemic. In particular, preventive measures of COVID-19, such as staying at home, are sedentarism measures that decrease physical activity. Physical inactivity alters gut microbiome structure in a fashion that promotes gut dysbiosis and flaring of systemic inflammation, leading to the buildup of body fat. Obesity, which contributes to a trail of health-depleting disorders, furthers gut microbial disintegration while fat tissue stimulates the release of cytokines, promotes metabolic resistance, and alters signaling involved in the production of antioxidants. As a result, the body gets flooded by toxic molecules such pro-inflammatory mediators, free radicals, and advanced glycation end products. These toxic molecules alter cellular function in all body tissues, including those of the brain. Neuroinflammation is associated with progressive declines in cognitive and motor functions along with dysregulation in emotions. Counteracting the sedentarism enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic through the participation in suitable indoors activities and the intake of healthy food is likely to protect against or revert physiological impairments that may affect people retreating to their homes during the current crisis, eventually restoring physical and mental health.
ACE, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme; AGEs, advanced glycation end products; AMPK, adenosine monophosphate -activated protein kinase; COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019; Coronavirus disease 2019/COVID-19; Depression; Emotional negativity; Gut microbiome; Inflammation/oxidative stress; Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; Obesity; Physical inactivity; RR, relative risk; SARS-Cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2/SARS-Cov-2; TV, television
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
English
Journal:
Sports Med Health Sci
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.smhs.2020.11.006
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