Initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in hypertensive older adults: An accelerometer-based analysis

Abstract

Background This study reports the accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in hypertensive older adults. Methods Thirty-five hypertensive older adults were included in this observational study. Accelerometer-based PA and SB measures were assessed before (January to March 2020) and during (June 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear mixed models were used to assess within-group changes in PA and SB measures, adjusted by accelerometer wear time. Results Before COVID-19 pandemic participants presented: 5809 steps/day (SE = 366), 303.1 min/day (SE = 11.9) of light PA, 15.5 min/day (SE = 2.2) of moderate-vigorous PA, and 653.0 min/day (SE = 12.6) of SB. During COVID-19 pandemic there was a decrease in steps/day (β = −886 steps/day, SE = 361, p = 0.018), in moderate-vigorous PA (β = −2.8 min/day, SE = 2.4, p = 0.018), and a trend in light PA (β = −26.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.053). In addition, SB increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (β = 29.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.032). The magnitude of changes was greater on the weekend, mainly for steps/day (β = −1739 steps/day, SE = 424, p < 0.001) and the SB pattern (more time spent in bouts of ≥10 and 30 min, less breaks/day and breaks/h). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic may elicit unhealthy changes in movement behavior in hypertensive older adults. Lower PA, higher and more prolonged SB on the weekend are the main features of the behavioral changes.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A review

“…A cohort of patients affected by cancer in Germany showed levels of stress and anxiety similar to a control [189] . Drastic reduction of physical activity, with potentially detrimental effects, has been reported for adults with hypertension [193] .…”

“…Several surveys aimed at provide a better understanding of this unfortunate phenomenon. They considered patients affected by diabetes, cancer, ALS, hypertension, mental or substance abuse disorders [188] , [189] , [190] , [191] , [192] , [193] , [194] . Admittedly, the research focused on short term effects and on the shift towards telemedicine (i.e., remote care).…”

Housing type is associated with objectively measured changes in movement behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with hypertension: An exploratory study

“…The unhealthy changes in movement behavior observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the participants might have health-related consequences involving both physical and mental aspects ( Browne et al., 2020 ; Creese et al., 2020 ; Werneck et al., 2020 ; Yamada et al., 2020 ). As previously suggested ( Browne et al., 2020 ), home-based actions focusing on reducing the time spent in prolonged SB and reallocating time for PA independent of its intensity seems to be more realistic as a first-level approach; i.e. breaking up prolonged leisure-time SB with light PA and doing household chores more frequently.…”

“…Briefly, a sample of Brazilian older adults with hypertension who were screened for the Hypertension EXercise Approaches study (HEXA study; http://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4ntszb/ ) were assessed before and during a period of social distancing policy imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Natal, Brazil. For more details, see Browne et al. (2020) .…”

“…Thus, this scenario may contribute to individuals spending more time inside their homes. Although the benefits of social distancing policy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is well-recognized, we have reported by accelerometer-based analysis that older adults with hypertension have reduced their time spent in physical activities (PA) and increased sedentary behavior (SB) during the pandemic ( Browne et al., 2020 ). Interestingly, the greater changes have occurred on the weekend ( Browne et al., 2020 ).…”