Changes to Physical Activity during a Global Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Analysis among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults in the U.S.

Abstract

Emerging adults’ lives have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity (PA) behaviors need to be examined to inform interventions and improve health. Responses to the C-EAT (COVID-19 Eating and Activity over Time) survey (N = 720; age = 24.7 ± 2.0 yrs) were analyzed. This mixed-methods study quantitatively examined changes in self-reported PA (hours/week of mild PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and total PA) from 2018 to 2020. Qualitative responses on how COVID-19 impacted PA were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Hours of PA were lower on average for all intensity levels during COVID-19 than in 2018 (p’s < 0.0001). Over half of the sample reported a decrease in MVPA (53.8%) and total PA (55.6%); 42.6% reported a decrease in mild PA. High SES were more likely to report an increase in total PA (p = 0.001) compared to those of lower SES. Most (83.6%) participants perceived that COVID-19 had influenced their PA. The most common explanations were decreased gym access, effects on outdoor PA, and increased dependence on at-home PA. Results suggest that emerging adults would benefit from behavioral interventions and health promotion efforts in response to the pandemic, with a focus on activities that can be easily performed in the home or in safe neighborhood spaces.

Recreational Screen Time Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults

“…In the same sample used in the current study, 83% of emerging adults perceived their weekly physical activity had been influenced during the pandemic, but nearly 94% experienced a quantitative change in physical activity levels [ 32 ]. These data compare with the current screen time behaviors in which less participants perceived their screen time to have been influenced compared with the percentage that changed based on the quantitative data.…”

“…These data compare with the current screen time behaviors in which less participants perceived their screen time to have been influenced compared with the percentage that changed based on the quantitative data. Additionally, 55.6% of emerging adults decreased their weekly physical activity from 2018 to during the pandemic for various reasons [ 32 ]. Parallel to the bi-directional screen time findings, not all participants changed their physical activity levels in the same way.…”

“…Parallel to the bi-directional screen time findings, not all participants changed their physical activity levels in the same way. Some participants mentioned barriers to engaging in activity such as the stay-at-home order and the closure of gyms and fitness centers [ 32 ]. Additional differences emerged as to how physical activity engagement has changed during the pandemic, similar to the identified differences in changes to screen time.…”

“…Additional differences emerged as to how physical activity engagement has changed during the pandemic, similar to the identified differences in changes to screen time. Some changes in activity were in the form of more or less time spent outdoors, being active with others more than before, mental health both positively and negatively impacting physical activity, and some participants reported trying to be more active within their homes and potentially utilizing technology to do so [ 32 ]. While nearly 50% of participants in the current sample increased their screen time, and nearly 55% decreased their physical activity, a different sample of adults over the age of 18 revealed that the combination of an increase in physical inactivity and an increase in passive screen use was associated with poor mental health during the pandemic [ 33 ].…”

“…While nearly 50% of participants in the current sample increased their screen time, and nearly 55% decreased their physical activity, a different sample of adults over the age of 18 revealed that the combination of an increase in physical inactivity and an increase in passive screen use was associated with poor mental health during the pandemic [ 33 ]. However, engaging in physical activity can reduce or sometimes even eliminate the negative health effects associated with time spent engaging in sedentary behavior and even passive screen time [ 7 , 34 ], and was also mentioned as a positive benefit to mental health in the current sample [ 32 ]. Therefore, our results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing boredom by promoting physical activity, particularly during times of physical distancing, may be needed to not only decrease recreational screen time but also improve physical and mental health outcomes potentially associated with passive screen use.…”