Dear Editor,
The self-isolations and quarantine requirements inflicted to the society by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reduced opportunities to remain physically active. At the same time physical inactivity (PI) and sedentary behaviour (SB) remains as a major cause of various health issues and is designated as a pandemic since 2012 [1].
Sustained physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are found to be associated with poor physical and mental health and increased disease-specific morbidity and mortality risk. Even a short period of exposure to such type of life style can be dangerous. It has been seen that reduction in daily steps from ∼10,000 to ∼1500 steps for a mere 2-week period is associated with consequences like impaired insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, increased visceral fat and decreased fat-free mass and cardiovascular fitness in healthy adults. It is interesting to note that, even episodes of exercises of moderate-intensity cannot counteract the ill effects of 4 days of inactivity [2].
In men, moderate physical activity has been positively associated with semen quality. Moderate physical activity has been found to be associated with increased fecundity parameters and live birth rates, regardless of body mass index (BMI)—even during assisted reproductive treatment [3,4]. It has been seen that 1.5 h or more of aerobic physical activity per week resulted in a higher likelihood of live birth in women undergoing IVF compared to inactive women [5]. Palomba et al. performed a retrospective cohort study involving obese infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI (216 cycles). They found a significantly higher pregnancy rates and live birth rate in the group that was engaged in regular physical activity (41 cycles), with a 3.71 relative risk of live birth [3]. Sedentary behaviour has been associated with the increased secretion of leptin, which can decrease fertility and pregnancy rates through the down regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. Interrupting the amount of time spent sitting was related to decrease visceral adiposity and BMI.
Measures taken to combat COVID19 pandemic may promote sedentary life style and there by exacerbating another established global pandemic known as physical inactivity. With a little awareness of the above fact we can prevent a significant impact of this pandemic on reproductive health. Clinicians can help out their patients in promoting and proposing a lifestyle supportive care. Even if we need to restrict ourselves indoor, care must be taken to spend more time in indoor physical activity and less time in sitting.
Declaration of Competing Interest
There is no conflict of interest for this article.
Funding
None.
References
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