Demographic Characteristics and Digital Platforms for Physical Activity Among the Chinese Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediating Analysis

Abstract

Background E-health apps play a vital role in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. More people across the globe have started to use fitness and health apps to mitigate the COVID-19 negative impacts on the health-related quality of life. E-health treatments are becoming more common these days. Aim The present research aim was to explore the mediating role of digital platforms for physical activity and fitness with demographic characteristics among Chinese people during the pandemic. Methods The primary data was collected through an online survey across China under the snowball sampling technique. A total of 5351 respondents took part in the online questionnaire survey. After quantification and quality check of the data, a total of 5000 respondents’ responses were added in the final analysis. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS-25 and SmartPLS 3.0 software. Results The structural equation model analysis H1 (β = 0.227, t = 18.725, p = < 0.000), H2 (β = 0.225, t = 17.892, p = < 0.000), H3 (β = 0.229, t = 17.845, p = < 0.000), H4 (β = 0.54, t = 60.928, p= < 0.000), H5 (β = 0.553, t = 57.291, p = < 0.000), H6 (β = 0.559, t = 56.956, p = < 0.000), H7 (β = 0.358, t = 24.779, p = < 0.000), H8 (β = 0.259, t = 19.617, p = < 0.000) and H9 (β = 0.288, t = 19.92, p = < 0.000) results confirm the proposed hypothesis of the study. Conclusion E-health apps are playing a vital role in maintaining an active lifestyle through physical activity. Fitness and health apps can promote physical activity and improve health-related quality of life. Results of the current study concluded that E-health apps are promising to promote physical activity and fitness during the COVID-19 preventive measures.

Repercussions of Pandemic and Preventive Measures on General Well-Being, Psychological Health, Physical Fitness, and Health Behavior: Mediating Role of Coping Behavior

“…Regular physical activity during this time has helped individuals maintain their physical fitness and played a significant role in managing stress, improving mental well-being, and boosting overall resilience. 88 The COVID-19 lockdown posed physical activity and fitness challenges due to restrictions on facilities and routines. However, it also provided opportunities for individuals to explore alternative forms of exercise, such as home workouts.…”

Does physical activity influence health behavior, mental health, and psychological resilience under the moderating role of quality of life?

“…Different demographics provide background for the impact of physical exercise on health behavior and psychological resilience ( Fang et al, 2022 ). It is significant to highlight the intricate and nuanced relationship between physical exercise and health outcomes.…”

“…The health-related practices of the elderly population in China have changed with time, influenced by many factors ( Dai et al, 2021 ; Fan et al, 2023 ). Health behavior technology engagement can be divided into two distinct components, which collectively measure the effectiveness of digital interventions aimed at modifying behavior: health behavior engagement and behavior change intervention engagement ( Cole-Lewis et al, 2019 ; Fang et al, 2022 ). The scale was adopted from the study ( Fan et al, 2023 ).…”

The association between COVID-19 preventive strategies, virtual reality exercise, use of fitness apps, physical, and psychological health: testing a structural equation moderation model

“…We asked Likert scale (1–5) based questions related to the fitness apps based physical activity and how fitness apps moderate the links among COVID-19 preventive strategies, virtual reality exercise, physical health, and psychological health. People may track their exercise progress, get feedback on their technique, and learn how to improve their workouts with the help of technology ( 26 , 39 ).…”