With COVID-19 cases on the rise once again, we’re reminded of just how crucial vaccinations are. The jab has already prevented millions of deaths, but a new study has found that there is a way to make them even more effective.
According to new research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, elevated levels of physical activity can make the vaccine work better. It is believed that two-and-a-half hours of exercise a week can greatly increase protection against severe COVID.
The study was conducted in South Africa where data from 200,000 vaccinated adults were analyzed.
“The higher the dose of exercise, the greater the protective effect, obviously to an extent,” said Jon Patricios, a professor of sport and exercise medicine at Wits University in Johannesburg who co-authored the study.
Those who completed at least 150 minutes of exercise at moderate intensity per week, with heart rates at around 70-79% of their maximum heart rate while exercising, were shown to have 25% more protection from their vaccination.
Exercise was shown to prevent severe COVID even in those who have not been vaccinated. Those who exercised between 60 and 149 minutes were 1.4 times less likely to have severe cases of infection.
