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Do you have the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) integrated into the electronic health record at your health system? A newly published study shows how valuable the PAVS can be (or Exercise Vital Sign – EVS) when it comes to identifying patient groups at risk for adverse health outcomes. This study of ~50,000 people with COVID-19 found that regular physical activity provided strong protection from hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and death. Even inconsistent exercise lowered the odds for severe COVID-19 outcomes when compared to being completely sedentary. ...read more
The average person in the US reaching the age of 65 years can expect to live another 20 years. For most older adults, good health supports continuing independence, security, and productivity. Unfortunately, millions struggle with health challenges like diabetes, arthritis, falls, mobility impairments and depression. The health of these older adults is of great concern during the coronavirus pandemic. They are at highest risk of nursing home placement, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 complications. Physical distancing and social isolation exacerbate many health conditions and only worsen an older person’s chances of recovery if infected by COVID-19. ...read more
Before the onset of COVID-19 older adults were known to be more isolated than others. Now family and friends see older adults less often, especially when they reside in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where infections rates and deaths have been high and visitors are restricted. Because older adults are at greater risk of developing serious COVID-19 complications, they may feel unsafe going outside, even for essential trips. This self-enforced social isolation sets the stage for increased risk of anxiety and depression. Fortunately, engaging in exercise decreases anxiety and depression risk and treats the symptoms of those diseases. ...read more
First, the bad news. There is no vaccine or cure yet for the coronavirus COVID-19. The only approved drug has modest impacts. What would we give for a drug that would do the following?...read more
If a physician prescribes a course of treatment to reduce a patient’s anxiety, improve sleep or deal with a chronic medical condition, would you expect the patient to head to the pharmacy? What if that treatment instead had the patient lacing up their sneakers and airing up their bike tires? Active transportation, otherwise known as walking, biking, or other human-powered transportation, is a low cost, high impact prescription that health care providers can offer to improve their patients’ mental and physical health....read more
We live in a new world where restaurants and shops are opening up in a limited fashion. A trip to the grocery store means navigating the aisles past people who may or may not be wearing face coverings. Gyms are reopening but with various safety precautions including masks and social distancing. It is an altered universe. What have I learned about being active in the time of the coronavirus (COVID-19)? I have found that going outdoors for a walk or a bike ride is a lifesaver, both physically and mentally....read more
Dr. Robert Zarr is a board-certified pediatrician at Unity Health Care, located in Washington, DC, where he has practiced for nearly 19 years. He is Founder of Exercise is Medicine partner, Park Rx America, a non-profit helping doctors connect patients to nature. Hear his perspective on how he believes we should learn from COVID-19....read more
As health care providers during the COVID-19 crisis, we are faced with challenges on many levels. We are on the front lines of patient care, adapting with telemedicine and being told to stay home and away from others when not at work. This instruction alone could put a damper on our overall health — mental, emotional and physical well-being. The pandemic is uncharted territory for many, but unusual circumstances often inspire creativity....read more
Due to substantial advances in exercise immunology over the past few decades, it is becoming evident that many of the health benefits of regular physical activity may be directly related to activation of the immune system. Studies show age-related changes in the immune system across the life span. In general, healthy children experience smaller overall perturbations to the immune system in response to an acute stress, such as a bout of exercise, and demonstrate a faster recovery from such perturbations compared with adults. ...read more
Debido a los fundamentales avances en la inmunología del ejercicio de las últimas décadas, se está haciendo evidente que muchos de los beneficios para la salud de la actividad física regular pueden estar directamente relacionados con la activación del sistema inmune. Los estudios muestran cambios en el sistema inmune relacionados con la edad a lo largo de la vida. En general, los niños sanos experimentan perturbaciones generales en el sistema inmunitario más pequeñas en respuesta a un estrés agudo, como por ejemplo, un ejercicio, y demuestran una recuperación más rápida de tales perturbaciones en comparación con los adultos. ...read more
The most important actions now are to reduce spread of the coronavirus through social distancing, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face. But, due to its multiple benefits, physical activity should not be an afterthought during this pandemic. Being active should be a key recommendation. People need to know about actions they can take themselves to help reduce the risk of severe infections and stressful reactions to the pandemic. ...read more
Las acciones más importantes ahora son reducir la propagación del coronavirus a través del distanciamiento social, lavarse las manos con frecuencia y evitar tocarse la cara. Pero, debido a sus múltiples beneficios, la actividad física no debería ser una ocurrencia tardía durante esta pandemia. Estar activo debería ser una recomendación clave. Las personas necesitan saber sobre las acciones que pueden tomar para ayudar a reducir el riesgo de infecciones graves y reacciones estresantes a la pandemia....read more
The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents some challenges to maintaining a physically active lifestyle. For all of us, young and old, regular physical activity remains an important strategy for staying healthy! Compared to being sedentary, moderate-intensity physical activity is associated with better immune function. Likewise, regular physical activity is associated with lower levels of anxiety and perceived stress...read more
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Do you have the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) integrated into the electronic health record at your health system? A newly published study shows how valuable the PAVS can be (or Exercise Vital Sign – EVS) when it comes to identifying patient groups at risk for adverse health outcomes. This study of ~50,000 people with COVID-19 found that regular physical activity provided strong protection from hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and death. Even inconsistent exercise lowered the odds for severe COVID-19 outcomes when compared to being completely sedentary.
The average person in the US reaching the age of 65 years can expect to live another 20 years. For most older adults, good health supports continuing independence, security, and productivity. Unfortunately, millions struggle with health challenges like diabetes, arthritis, falls, mobility impairments and depression. The health of these older adults is of great concern during the coronavirus pandemic. They are at highest risk of nursing home placement, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 complications. Physical distancing and social isolation exacerbate many health conditions and only worsen an older person’s chances of recovery if infected by COVID-19.
Before the onset of COVID-19 older adults were known to be more isolated than others. Now family and friends see older adults less often, especially when they reside in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where infections rates and deaths have been high and visitors are restricted. Because older adults are at greater risk of developing serious COVID-19 complications, they may feel unsafe going outside, even for essential trips. This self-enforced social isolation sets the stage for increased risk of anxiety and depression. Fortunately, engaging in exercise decreases anxiety and depression risk and treats the symptoms of those diseases.
First, the bad news. There is no vaccine or cure yet for the coronavirus COVID-19. The only approved drug has modest impacts. What would we give for a drug that would do the following?
If a physician prescribes a course of treatment to reduce a patient’s anxiety, improve sleep or deal with a chronic medical condition, would you expect the patient to head to the pharmacy? What if that treatment instead had the patient lacing up their sneakers and airing up their bike tires? Active transportation, otherwise known as walking, biking, or other human-powered transportation, is a low cost, high impact prescription that health care providers can offer to improve their patients’ mental and physical health.
We live in a new world where restaurants and shops are opening up in a limited fashion. A trip to the grocery store means navigating the aisles past people who may or may not be wearing face coverings. Gyms are reopening but with various safety precautions including masks and social distancing. It is an altered universe. What have I learned about being active in the time of the coronavirus (COVID-19)? I have found that going outdoors for a walk or a bike ride is a lifesaver, both physically and mentally.
Dr. Robert Zarr is a board-certified pediatrician at Unity Health Care, located in Washington, DC, where he has practiced for nearly 19 years. He is Founder of Exercise is Medicine partner, Park Rx America, a non-profit helping doctors connect patients to nature. Hear his perspective on how he believes we should learn from COVID-19.
As health care providers during the COVID-19 crisis, we are faced with challenges on many levels. We are on the front lines of patient care, adapting with telemedicine and being told to stay home and away from others when not at work. This instruction alone could put a damper on our overall health — mental, emotional and physical well-being. The pandemic is uncharted territory for many, but unusual circumstances often inspire creativity.
Due to substantial advances in exercise immunology over the past few decades, it is becoming evident that many of the health benefits of regular physical activity may be directly related to activation of the immune system. Studies show age-related changes in the immune system across the life span. In general, healthy children experience smaller overall perturbations to the immune system in response to an acute stress, such as a bout of exercise, and demonstrate a faster recovery from such perturbations compared with adults.
Debido a los fundamentales avances en la inmunología del ejercicio de las últimas décadas, se está haciendo evidente que muchos de los beneficios para la salud de la actividad física regular pueden estar directamente relacionados con la activación del sistema inmune. Los estudios muestran cambios en el sistema inmune relacionados con la edad a lo largo de la vida. En general, los niños sanos experimentan perturbaciones generales en el sistema inmunitario más pequeñas en respuesta a un estrés agudo, como por ejemplo, un ejercicio, y demuestran una recuperación más rápida de tales perturbaciones en comparación con los adultos.
The most important actions now are to reduce spread of the coronavirus through social distancing, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face. But, due to its multiple benefits, physical activity should not be an afterthought during this pandemic. Being active should be a key recommendation. People need to know about actions they can take themselves to help reduce the risk of severe infections and stressful reactions to the pandemic.
Las acciones más importantes ahora son reducir la propagación del coronavirus a través del distanciamiento social, lavarse las manos con frecuencia y evitar tocarse la cara. Pero, debido a sus múltiples beneficios, la actividad física no debería ser una ocurrencia tardía durante esta pandemia. Estar activo debería ser una recomendación clave. Las personas necesitan saber sobre las acciones que pueden tomar para ayudar a reducir el riesgo de infecciones graves y reacciones estresantes a la pandemia.
The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents some challenges to maintaining a physically active lifestyle. For all of us, young and old, regular physical activity remains an important strategy for staying healthy! Compared to being sedentary, moderate-intensity physical activity is associated with better immune function. Likewise, regular physical activity is associated with lower levels of anxiety and perceived stress
