Exercise is crucial during stressful times for both physical and mental health, according to WVU's Eloise Elliott from the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shephard)
With a stay-at-home order in place across West Virginia and a majority of the United States, one West Virginia University physical activity expert suggests it’s a critical time to add exercise to your daily routine to strengthen your immune system and manage stress during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic, said Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor at the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.
Elliott also acknowledged that April is National Move More Month and encouraged citizens to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
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“There are many benefits of movement, especially in moderate to vigorous physical activity, and some of those that are especially important in this critical pandemic time include strengthening your immune system and managing stress, and protecting your long-term health.”
“Research has shown that people who regularly exercise have a lower incidence of infection that those who are inactive, and physical activity also reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones that may also protect against illness. Also, physical activity simply boosts your mental health and just makes you feel better.”
“Physical activity helps in reducing the risk of developing health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers and obesity. For children especially, being active every day can help improve their health-related fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, building strong bones and muscles).
“If you are a parent you know that some children just innately move all the time, but others need some encouragement and motivation to be physically active, especially now with all the screen devices that allow for communicating with friends, playing games and watching endless hours of entertainment. Take a closer look at the amount of screen time hours in which you and your family members engage.”
“You don’t need expensive equipment or someone else to be the role model. Anyone can support and encourage family members to be physically active. Besides the typical outdoor activities such as walking, biking, playing yard games, etc, don’t forget that doing chores around the house also count, too – a good lesson for children. But as a previous teacher, mother of four and grandmother of seven, I know good ideas from others are very helpful as well. With the internet and social media outlets, those ideas are being posted every day." —Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor at the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
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They are also challenging people to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day and share a short video on Twitter using #30MinutesFor30MoreDays and @BeActiveWV.
West Virginia University experts can provide commentary, insights and opinions on various news topics. Search for an expert by name, title, area of expertise, or college/school/department in the Experts Database at WVU Today.
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CONTACT: Eloise Elliott
Ware Distinguished Professor
College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
Eloise.Elliott@mail.wvu.edu
OR
Jake Stump
Director
Research Communications
304-293-5507; Jake.Stump@mail.wvu.edu
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