WHO recommends people on exercise and physical activity during the coronavirus pandemic!

 Coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown and re-lockdown have upset everybody’s life routines. Being confined within the four walls of their homes, people are unable to go out for walks and exercise. Besides, the exercises that can be done to remain fit has to be adapted to the current relatively sedentary lifestyle of people and also according to the virus. Hence, WHO has laid down some guidelines for people to follow while exercising. A quick look-through on what their statement says!

CORONAVIRUS AND WHO GUIDELINES ON EXERCISE

WHO, the health organization for the world has been publishing guidelines for people on how to remain healthy and fit during the coronavirus pandemic. People tend to have more mental and health issues due to the lockdown. Hence WHO reveals how to avoid them. It has now released new physical activity guidelines in which it states that adults need at least 150 minutes or 2.5 hours of moderate to vigorous exercise weekly during the pandemic time.

Home exercise during COVID-19 [Source: VOA Learning English]

The pandemic is still raging and soaring and it has been found that obese and unfit individuals are at a higher risk from the virus. They get severe illness and also require more hospitalization. Fatality is also higher in them and in order to avoid the ill-consequences, these people should exercise on a regular basis to shed the extra weight and remain fit.

THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF WHO

Previously, WHO had recommended that healthy adults should exercise for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or at least for 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week and this was meant for age 18-64. But now, WHO has put forward guidelines even for people with chronic ailments or disability.

Old age and exercise [Source: NCOA]

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had a news release in which he said:

"Being physically active is critical for health and well-being — it can help add years to life and life to years,"

"Every move counts, especially now as we manage the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must all move every day — safely and creatively."

WHO WANTS EVERYONE TO REMAIN FIT AND HEALTHY

WHO wants everyone to stay fit and active during the pandemic considering the fact that there are so many restrictions in place for minimizing the spread of coronavirus. They feel that some exercise is better than no exercise. People can start with a less vigorous exercise regime and for a lesser amount of time. They can then gradually increase the severity of exercise and also the time and frequency to reach their level best.

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COVID-19 and exercise [Source: WEF]

WHO adds that people can do exercise in the gym or at home. But in the gym, face masks should be on and there should be social distancing adhered to. The physical activity ensures the well-being of the body, heart, and mind. But high-intensity workouts should be avoided since they could upset the immunity rather than help it.