WHO releases new physical exercise guidelines to fight COVID-19

World Health Organization (WHO) issued a physical exercise guideline for adults on November 25. The new guidelines would help the adults build immunity to fight the pandemic - COVID-19.

According to the new guidelines, every adult is expected to work out for 150 minutes per week. While issuing the guidelines, the organization stressed that working out is a vital factor among every age group, especially considering the sedentary lifestyle people are forced to live in due to coronavirus.

"Being physically active is critical for health and well-being – it can help to add years to life and life to years. Every move counts, especially now as we manage the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must all move every day – safely and creatively," WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

WHO stressed that adults with disabilities or chronic conditions must put in more efforts and work out for at least 150-300 minutes per week. Adolescents and children are expected to manage 60 minutes of their time working out to stay fit and fight the deadly virus.

Study by WHO suggests that nearly five million global deaths could be avoided per year if people would just start working out. The guidelines also encourage pregnant women to work out during and post-pregnancy, both for the mother and the baby.

People above the age of 65 should focus on balance, co-ordination and strengthening muscle for better health. The exercises would also help them prevent accidental falls.

Exercising, as recognized by WHO, helps with the heart condition, diabetes and cancer. Studies also show that physical activiites improve brain health and in turn, help fight thoughts of suicide.