Jogging in the corona crisis? Keep distance!

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Sports activity and exercise are also important in times of "social distancing". Anyone who wants to go jogging in the fresh air should keep enough distance from their fellow human beings.

The sports doctor Perikles Simon advises taking certain precautionary measures to exercise such as jogging in the fresh air even during the coronavirus crisis. "Anyone who is moderately physically active strengthens their immune system. That is above the possible risks," said the 47-year-old head of sports medicine at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz to the Tagesspiegel.

At least two meters away

To avoid risks, joggers should keep a distance of at least two meters from people next to them. "That is really important. Depending on the weather, a virus like smoke spreads in the air; it sinks to the ground faster, sometimes more slowly," said Simon. "That is why it is quite possible that you get infected while jogging or just infect others if you don't keep the distance."

The risks are greatest when it is foggy and humid and there is little wind. UV rays, on the other hand, are bad for viruses. "I recommend exercising when the weather is nice." With high intensity of sport, however, the susceptibility to an infection is increased up to four hours afterwards.

Don't risk injury

In the current situation, the sport and the load should not be changed abruptly, warned Simon. This increases the risk of injury. "That then in turn entails a visit to the doctor, which currently always harbors a residual risk," said the sports doctor. "It is best to do the same sport - if that is possible - as you have done up to now." (lv / dpa)

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