IJCS | Volume 33, Nº4, July and August 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36660/ijcs.20200072 Introduction The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 which until April 13, 2020, had 1,776,867 confirmed cases with 111,828 deaths worldwide, led the Ministry of Health of Brazil 2 to prepare amanual with several actions to prevent the spread of the disease. Among these actions, social distancing is recommended, instructing people to remain at home. In addition, many heads of state and municipal executive power across Brazil have issued decrees proposing the closure of several spaces, including gyms, clinics, clubs, and other public and private spaces for physical activity. These actions caused the Brazilian population to have difficulties to continue the practice of physical activity. On the other hand, since the beginning of the pandemic, some studies have been published in different parts of the world, calling attention to the importance of continuing to practice physical activity. For example, in the city of Wuhan in China, the initial epicenter of the disease, people were recommended to practice physical activity even at home. 3 In a recent study focused on elderly people, outdoor physical activity and also exercising at home were suggested as therapy to combat the physical and mental consequences of quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 4 In addition, according to a recent position of the American College of Sports Medicine, 5 people should continue to stay physically active while at home during the pandemic. In line with these publications, legal provisions published in countries such as the United Kingdom 6 and France 7 recognized the practice of physical activities in open environments as an essential activity during the quarantine period. It should also be noted that the literature is consistent in showing the various benefits provided by physical activity for health, especially for the cardiovascular, metabolic 8 and immune 9 systems, as well as for mental health. 10 Therefore, it seems clear that the practice of physical activity both at home and in open environments should be considered as an essential activity during the COVID-19 pandemic in any legal statement issued by government agencies. The objective of this point of view is to describe the evidence for this. Studies that highlight the importance of staying physically active during the Covid-19 pandemic The first study was published in the city of Wuhan in China, 3 the initial epicenter of the disease, where people were recommended to practice physical exercises even at home. The authors recommended that strengthening exercises, balance activities and stretching exercises or a combination of them should be performed. They also recommended walking around the house, lifting and transporting groceries, going up/down stairs, and doing squats, sit-ups and push-ups. In addition, Tai Chi Chuan and Yoga exercises have also been suggested. Physical activity could be done with the aid of technological resources, such as exercise videos and online professional guidance. Subsequently, a study by researchers from Spain and the USA, 4 with focus on the elderly, emphasized the importance of outdoor physical activities or exercises 401 VIEWPOINT International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 2020; 33(4):401-403 Mailing Address: Francisco José Gondim Pitanga Universidade Federal da Bahia - Educação Física. Av. Reitor Miguel Calmom, Postal Code 40110-060, Salvador, BA – Brazil E-mail: pitanga@lognet.com.br Should Physical Activity Be Considered Essential During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Francisco José Gondim Pitanga, 1 C armem Cristina Beck, 2 C ristiano Penas Seara Pitanga 3 Universidade Federal da Bahia, 1 Salvador, BA – Brazil Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina, 2 Palhoça, SC – Brazil Universidade Católica do Salvador, 3 Salvador, BA – Brazil Manuscript received April 13, 2020; revised manuscript April 27, 2020; accepted May 02, 2020. Pandemics; Coronavirus; COVID-19; Physical Activity; Exercise; Sedentarism; Leisure Activities; Psychological Phenomena. Keywords