SHR # 2509 :: COVID-19: Exercise May Protect Against Deadly Complication - Dr. Zhen Yan, PhD MD - Regular exercise may reduce the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a major cause of death in patients with the COVID-19 virus. New research "strongly supports" the possibility that exercise can prevent or at least reduce the severity of ARDS, which affects between 3% and 17% of all patients with COVID-19. Based on available information, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 20% to 42% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 will develop ARDS. Based upon prior to the pandemic suggested that approximately 45 percent of patients who develop severe ARDS will die. As a result of this new research a potential treatment plan is suggested.