Upholding physical exercise in the time of COVID19

In many places, sporting, recreational activities, and other outdoor events have been suspended or significantly reduced in concert with recommendations to curb the spread of COVID-19. Cameroon was poised to host the African Nation’s Champions (CHAN) 2020, but this event has now been postponed indefinitely. The Friday weekly joint exercise and ‘Exercise for Health’ Competition by the CBC Health Services has been suspended

As healthcare professionals treat the sick and researchers work to develop a vaccine, all the rest of us can offer is to respect the preventive measures. Physical distancing which is one of the recommended measures, is difficult to implement with many sporting disciplines yet, we need to engage in regular physical exercises to reduce the risks of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), especially considering that having an NCD puts one at high risk of developing  severe COVID-19 or dying from it. The challenge, therefore, lies in achieving a balance between maximal physical exercise to optimize our health, and maximal physical distance to prevent COVID-19.

How should we proceed, then?

How should we proceed, then?

Is there any difference in the way you have been exercising since the COVID 19 set in?

How do you guarantee your safety before embarking on physical exercise?

What pro-tips do you use, to respect the ‘at least one metre’ physical distance rule?

Be smart, stay healthy, and in doing so allow others to get the help they need.

Christa Njerim
“since our Friday weekly exercise at the Baptist Center got suspended due to the COVID 19 pandemic, I have been experiencing neck ache and general discomfort which I use to have before I joined the exercises. The exercises made me to lose weight and psychologically, I felt healthier compared to now”.

Grace Ndzi
“For about a month now, I have been making use of exercise videos and a jump rope to sweat off and burn the abs, in my room, about 3 times a week”.

Mirene kila
“It is very important for our Friday sporting activity at the Baptist center to start running again. It could be arranged in such a way that each department has their own day or time for exercise, by so doing, fewer people will be on the pitch, physical distancing will be maintained and everyone will exercise”.

Jefta Gwe
“It is impossible to practice physical distance while playing competitive encounters e.g. the champion’s league has started, and you can see players having encounters with each other. For me the solution is screening all players for COVID-19.”

Chick Enjeck, Bamenda
“I avoid going to the gym during this period because most of the gyms we have here don’t have enough space to accommodate all its users while respecting the physical distance, so I exercise with our outdoor clubs and remain very conscious when exercising”

Elvis Munjo, Bamenda
“Yes, no more contact exercises, l do mostly individual exercises alone like jogging, skipping and stair climbing.”