A Pandemic We Continue to Ignore: South Africa’s Disease Burden of Physical Inactivity

Abstract

The benefits of regular physical activity (PA) in mitigating the effects of non-communicable diseases have been well described. More recently, highlighted by a global need to protect large populations against the COVID-19 pandemic, the immunoprotective benefits of PA have come to the fore. This commentary explains the biological reasons for PA being an effective preventative tool against a range of diseases and expands upon its physiological effects at an organelle and molecular level. Moreover, the concept of skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ is explained. Available data on the levels of activity in South African adults and children are explored and interventions for improvement recommended.