Study shows one more step could help during pandemic Brynn Rawlings, Guest Writer DEVILS LAKE – A study published in Translational Behavioral Medicine shows that some measures to promote safety during the pandemic could be bolstered by one more step. The lack of physical activity, the world’s fourth leading cause of death, may be intensified by physical distancing measures during the pandemic. “While physical distancing is important to reduce the spread of COVID-19, physical activity also must be used as a public health strategy during the pandemic and beyond. This would help people cope during the global crisis, and maintain healthy behaviors post pandemic,” said Dr. Stefanie Meyer, lead author of the study titled Physical Distancing ≠ Physical Inactivity. Meyer is assistant professor of practice in Public Health at North Dakota State University and a faculty fellow at the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth.