TY - JOUR AU - Zeigler, Zachary AU - Lawrence, Jacob AU - Jamison, Alexa AU - Salzano, Pete PY - 2021 DA - 2021/09/02 TI - Physical Activity Behaviors and COVID-19 Symptoms JO - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine SP - 027 VL - 06 IS - 03 AB - Statistical modeling indicated that COVID-19 would have afflicted more than 60% of the US population. Social distancing, self-quarantine, and widespread shutdowns were imposed. The push to stay at home and the decreased availability of exercise facilities have potentially reduced physical activity (PA). The purpose of this observational, correlational study was to determine if there is a relationship between PA level and symptoms of COVID-19. Subjects were asked to complete a single Survey Monkey questionnaire. The survey asked demographic questions, PA behaviors, and questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms. Chi-square analysis was run to determine frequency differences within the PA group and specific COVID-19 symptoms. Hierarchical regression analysis was run to determine if PA was a unique predictor of the number COVID-19 symptoms experienced. Sixty male and 85 female (n = 145) subjects completed this study. Subjects were 25.6 ± 11.2 yr old with an average BMI of 25.3 ± 5.2 kg/m2. There were no statistically significant differences between those who achieved PA guidelines compared to those who did not on any single symptom besides fever. A greater number of participants who did not achieve PA guidelines reported no fever (69.2% vs. 46.6%, p = 0.018). Age, gender, ethnicity, and BMI did not significantly predict the number COVID-19 symptom (p = 0.312). Only the addition of moderate MET-minutes·week-1 made the full model statistically significant (p = 0.009, R2 = .093). Moderate MET-minutes·week-1 was the only independent predictor of COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.009). In conclusion, increased levels of moderate-intensity PA may protect against acquiring a greater number of COVID-19 symptoms. SN - 2573-4393 UR - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2103027 DO - 10.21926/obm.icm.2103027 ID - Zeigler2021 ER -