Table 3

Subgroup analysis of the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes associated with study patients who engaged in physical activities according to exercise guideline

SubgroupsEventTypes of physical activity
Insufficient aerobic and muscle strengtheningMuscle strengthening onlyAerobic onlyAerobic and muscle strengthening
Age groups (years)
 20–39COVID-191.0 (ref)1.43 (0.63 to 3.17)1.13 (0.55 to 2.27)0.99 (0.51 to 1.99)
 40–59COVID-191.0 (ref)1.04 (0.66 to 1.64)0.98 (0.76 to 1.27)0.85 (0.70 to 0.99)
 ≥60COVID-191.0 (ref)0.83 (0.44 to 1.52)0.82 (0.61 to 1.10)0.77 (0.51 to 1.19)
Sex
 MaleCOVID-191.0 (ref)1.02 (0.67 to 1.54)0.97 (0.73 to 1.29)0.81 (0.64 to 0.98)
 FemaleCOVID-191.0 (ref)1.06 (0.62 to 1.79)0.90 (0.71 to 1.15)0.90 (0.66 to 1.28)
Smoking
 Never smokerCOVID-191.0 (ref)1.02 (0.67 to 1.54)0.97 (0.73 to 1.29)0.79 (0.64 to 0.99)
 Ex-smokerCOVID-191.0 (ref)0.91 (0.45 to 1.84)0.92 (0.57 to 1.51)0.75 (0.45 to 1.31)
 Current smokerCOVID-191.0 (ref)0.90 (0.27 to 2.93)1.28 (0.64 to 2.48)1.33 (0.58 to 3.00)
Charlson comorbidity index
 0COVID-191.0 (ref)1.09 (0.72 to 1.61)0.99 (0.78 to 1.30)0.74 (0.58 to 0.94)
 1COVID-191.0 (ref)0.83 (0.34 to 2.03)1.16 (0.74 to 1.79)0.53 (0.16 to 1.09)
 ≥2COVID-191.0 (ref)0.95 (0.54 to 1.11)0.78 (0.54 to 1.12)1.48 (0.94 to 2.31)
Age groups (years)
 20–39Severe COVID-19†1.0 (ref)1.03 (0.62 to 1.76)0.66 (0.50 to 1.05)0.58 (0.25 to 1.30)
 40–59Severe COVID-19†1.0 (ref)1.09 (0.61 to 2.02)0.67 (0.43 to 1.19)0.48 (0.15 to 1.24)
 ≥60Severe COVID-19†1.0 (ref)0.79 (0.26 to 3.05)0.58 (0.18 to 1.75)0.16 (0.02 to 0.96)
Sex
 MaleSevere COVID-19†1.0 (ref)0.97 (0.60 to 1.60)0.79 (0.56 to 1.27)0.45 (0.18 to 1.07)
 FemaleSevere COVID-19†1.0 (ref)1.14 (0.64 to 2.09)0.57 (0.41 to 0.95)0.48 (0.15 to 1.26)
Smoking
 Never smokerSevere COVID-19†1.0 (ref)1.25 (0.81 to 1.96)0.59 (0.45 to 0.94)0.44 (0.23 to 0.99)
 Ex-smokerSevere COVID-19†1.0 (ref)0.67 (0.32 to 1.56)0.81 (0.46 to 1.55)0.54 (0.14 to 1.45)
 Current smokerSevere COVID-19†1.0 (ref)0.60 (0.17 to 3.85)1.19 (0.48 to 2.94)0.28 (0.06 to 2.15)
Charlson comorbidity index
 0Severe COVID-19†1.0 (ref)0.89 (0.51 to 1.63)0.52 (0.33 to 0.96)0.23 (0.09 to 0.80)
 1Severe COVID-19†1.0 (ref)1.00 (0.41 to 2.65)0.56 (0.26 to 1.27)0.81 (0.31 to 2.41)
 ≥2Severe COVID-19†1.0 (ref)1.09 (0.63 to 1.95)0.81 (0.59 to 1.28)0.57 (0.32 to 1.34)
  • Numbers in bold indicate significant differences (p<0.05).

  • Values are adjusted relative risks* (95% CIs; cohort A).

  • *Regression models were adjusted for age (20–39, 40–59 and ≥60 years); sex; region of residence (Seoul Capital Area, Daegu/Gyeongbuk area, and other area); Charlson comorbidity index (0, 1 and ≥2); history of diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, stroke and cardiovascular disease; body mass index (continuous; using the restricted cubic spline function); systolic blood pressure (continuous); diastolic blood pressure (continuous); fasting blood glucose (continuous); serum total cholesterol (continuous); glomerular filtration rate (≥90, 60–89 and ≤59 mL/min); household income (low, middle and high); smoking (never, ex and current); alcoholic drinks (<1, 1–2, 3–4 and ≥5 days per week); medication for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

  • †Severe COVID-19 consisted of requirement of oxygen therapy, admission to the intensive care unit, invasive ventilation or death.