Physical Fitness amidst COVID-19

COVID-19 has forced the closure of gyms, stadiums, pools, dancing and fitness studios, physiotherapy centers, parks, and playgrounds around the world. As a result, many people are unable to engage in regular personal or group sporting or physical activities outside of their homes.

Under such conditions and the associated restrictions of the pandemic, many tend to be less physically active, have longer screen time, irregular sleep patterns as well as worse diets resulting in weight gain and loss of physical fitness. However, the main question remains; how can one be physically fit?

The World Health Organization advises 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. The advantages of such regular exercise have been demonstrated to be quite beneficial, particularly in times of anxiety, crisis, and panic. For many people, exercising at home without any equipment or in a small space is still a viable option. If you spend a lot of time sitting at home, there may be ways to be more active during the day, such as stretching, doing cleaning, climbing stairs, or dancing to music.

Furthermore, there are also multiple free materials available on how to stay active throughout the epidemic particularly for people with internet access. Physical fitness games, for example, can appeal to individuals of all ages and can be played in confined settings. In addition, strength training, which does not require a vast space but helps maintain muscle strength, is another crucial part of maintaining physical fitness, which is especially vital for older people or people with physical disabilities.

In conclusion, we have to adapt to the new normal since the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have very considerable effects on the sporting world as well as on the physical and mental well-being of people around the world. Therefore, we have to come up with new ways that maximize
the benefits of sports and physical wellbeing of people.