Home-Based Exercise During the Coronavirus Pandemic – A Useful, yet Challenging Treatment Strategy for Improvement of Mental Health, Glycemic Control and COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes

Maja Cigrovski Berković; Marul  Ivandić; Anna  Mrzljak; Vjekoslav  Cigrovski; Lavinia  La Grasta Sabolić; Klara  Ormanac; Dea Sabo; Tea Omanović Kolarić; Lana Ružić; Ines Bilić-Ćurčić*

doi:10.26332/seemedj.v7i1.269

Maja Cigrovski Berković Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Kinesiological Anthropology and Methodology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marul Ivandić University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Anna Mrzljak Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Vjekoslav Cigrovski Department of Kinesiological Anthropology and Methodology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Lavinia La Grasta Sabolić Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Center Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Klara Ormanac Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Dea Sabo Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Tea Omanović Kolarić Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, Croatia
Lana Ružić Department of Kinesiological Anthropology and Methodology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ines Bilić-Ćurčić* Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26332/seemedj.v7i1.269

Abstract

Lockdown measures to control disease transmission were implemented at the start of the COVID-19 era, worsening the already existing sedentary lifestyle. Reduced physical activity (PA) and unhealthy eating habits have a negative impact on mental health in chronically ill patients, including diabetes patients. Mental illness, on the other hand, encourages a sedentary lifestyle, exacerbating all components of metabolic syndrome. While well-controlled diabetic patients with an HbA1c of less than 7% had a less severe clinical presentation and COVID-19 mortality rates, the favorable effect of PA on immunomodulation and immunoregulation should not be neglected. Given recent data indicating that a sedentary lifestyle is the third independent risk factor for COVID-19 complications and death (after advanced age and organ transplant), including regular PA has never been more vital. Since PA has a major impact on both glycemic control and mental health, implementing structured home-based activity programs could improve glycemic control and psychological well-being, hence positively impacting COVID-19 outcomes.