General recommendations for health care and physical activity vs. COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The Center for Research and Extension in Body Movement Sciences (NUPEM) of CEFD/UFES, represented by professors and researchers, jointly prepared an open letter to the community. The group saw the importance of publishing management and strategies for maintaining physical activity and health care and prevention during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The pandemic has alarmed the sports community and physical activity practitioners for its potential for transmission, dissemination, hospitalization, and lethality, especially in more vulnerable populations, such as those with chronic diseases and the elderly. In addition to general information about the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the purpose of this document is to provide information and recommendations related to the practice of physical activity (PA) for the clarification of health professionals and people related to sport and PA. Thus, we intend to assist in education and health promotion through prevention strategies related to the pandemic and the practice of PA. In this perspective, according to current guidelines, it is recommended to avoid physical downtime and sedentary behaviors as much as possible. Still, it is recommended to practice 150-300 min/week of moderate intensity aerobic PA and 2 sessions of activities involving muscle strength training, contributing to the maintenance of health status. However, a lower volume of PA also produces health benefits, that is, performing some PA is better than none and moving more and resting less as well.