[Purpose] To summarize the existing official guidelines issued by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy and Associations of Physical Therapy in various countries and to clarify the recommended methods of respiratory rehabilitation and physiotherapy for patients in different stages of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). [Methods] An introductory literature search was conducted using the keywords “COVID-19”, “respiratory rehabilitation”, “physical therapy”, and others in the database of the Association of Physical Therapy. [Results] Using 12 coronavirus disease-2019 rehabilitation-related articles, we summarized data on physical therapy (PT) evaluation; treatment; indications; contraindications; and termination indicators for patients in acute, stable, and post-discharge stages. [Conclusion] PT for COVID-19 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 should be formulated according to the stage of the disease and condition of the patients.

We aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19-induced lockdown in Beijing. [Participants and Methods] We distributed a web-based questionnaire survey among 1,029 Beijing citizens to inquire about their physical condition, living habits, and physical activity before and during home isolation. [Results] In the context of forced home isolation due to COVID-19, both males and females reported reductions in daily steps and weekly exercise time and significant increases in daily physical activity time and daily sitting time. The proportions of smokers, patients with metabolic syndrome, and patients with internal diseases were higher in males than in females; females had lower daily step counts and spent more time sitting. [Conclusion] The COVID-19 lockdown affected the physical condition, living habits, and physical activity of both males and females; females were more affected than males. People should be cognizant of the various effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on the body. We recommend a reasonable diet and appropriate home exercise. There is a need to develop training methods and evaluation tools for home exercises in COVID-19 lockdowns.

Few studies explore the associations between body fat percentage (BFP) prediction and evaluation indicators for Chinese with normal-weight obesity. We aimed to explore convenient and cost-free BFP evaluation indicators to routinely monitor BFP status in Chinese patients with normal-weight obesity. Participants (N = 164) were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) and BFP: normal-weight lean, normal-weight obese, and overweight and obese. Differences in body composition and circumference were compared to examine the relationship between BFP and circumference, determine a simple evaluation indicator reflecting BFP, and identify cutoff values for normal-weight obesity circumference. Significant differences in body composition and circumference were observed among the three groups. The correlation between thigh/height, hip/height, (hip + waist)/height, and BFP was stronger than that with BMI. The (hip + waist)/height ratio was the indicator most reflective of BFP (95% confidence interval: 3.004–9.018, p = 0.013), and a ratio above 1.115 (95% confidence interval: 0.936–0.992, p < 0.001) was predictive of normal-weight obesity. Furthermore, we suggest that the upper value for a normal BMI in Chinese individuals be lowered to 23.4 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval: 0.984–0.999, p < 0.001). The (hip + waist)/height ratio can be used with body mass index for a more accurate evaluations of BFP abnormalities and health risks.

No abstract

No abstract