Combating physical inactivity during COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka: being active at home

Abstract

Preventive strategies undertaken against the novel coronavirus disease especially social distancing and movement restrictions seem to have major impacts on physical activity of people in Sri Lanka. With 'staying at home', most people now tend to be seated for a significant time period. The national physical activity recommendations include at least 60 minutes per day physical activity for most of the days of the week for 6-19-years-olds; at least 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity throughout the week for 20-years and above, including muscle and bone strengthening, flexibility and balancing exercises. This article provides the recommendations and examples on home-based physical activities for the population during the current context for the Sri Lankan population across the life span. a total of 4,063,525 confirmed cases and 282,244 deaths were reported across the globe (1), and there were 869 confirmed cases with nine deaths in Sri Lanka (2). With identification of the first local case in the country on 11 March 2020, various activities were undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka to control the spread of the disease, including declaring island wide curfew, implementing stringent restrictions on people's mobility. As a result, nationwide schools, universities and other tertiary education institutions are closed up to date; cultural, sports events and other public gatherings were ordered to be cancelled and travel bans were implemented. The work settings are now allowed only a limited staff and people were advised to 'stay at home'. However, it is important to apprehend the potential negative effects of this restricted Talagala IA et al. JCCPSL 2020, 26 (Special Edition on COVID-19)