Gender-dependent effect of physical activity on the risk of incident multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the PAMPA cohort, Brazil

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and the risk of incident multimorbidity in adults from southern Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study design

Prospective Study.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Prospective Study about Physical and Mental Health (PAMPA) cohort, a longitudinal study of adults living in southern Brazil. The baseline assessment occurred in June/July 2020, and further data collection occurred 6 and 12 months later. Participants with no multimorbidity (2 or more simultaneous chronic conditions) at baseline were included in the present analysis. PA weekly volume, status, type, and place were also assessed at baseline.

Results

Over one year, 30.8 % of participants developed multimorbidity. Men participants, classified as physically active before or during the pandemic, had reduced risk of multimorbidity. Practicing PA at home reduced the risk in both genders, while PA at and out of home only reduced the risk in women participants. Endurance and combined activities reduced the risk among women, while strength activities reduced the risk in both genders.

Conclusions

PA reduced the risk of incident multimorbidity among adults in southern Brazil, with different parameters moderating this effect between genders.