Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19—An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach

Abstract

Population-level physical activity (PA) and sedentary time/behaviour estimates represent a significant public health issue exacerbated by restrictions enforced to control COVID-19. This integrative review interrogated available literature to explore the pandemic’s impact on correlates of such behaviours in adults (≥18 years). Five electronic databases were systematically searched in January 2021. Data extracted from 64 articles were assessed for risk-of-bias using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool, with correlates identified, coded, and themed via thematic analysis. A socioecological model of during-pandemic PA was conceptualized and mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model of behaviour change mechanisms, which illustrates influences over five levels: Individual (biological)—general health; Individual (psychological)—mental health, cognition, motivation, and behaviour; Social—domestic situation, sociodemographic factors, support, and lifestyle choices; Environmental—resources and area of residence; and Policy—COVID-19-related rules. For sedentary time/behaviour, individual level factors, namely general and mental health, may be important correlates. Neither age or sex were clearly correlated with either behaviour. As we transition into a new normal, understanding which behaviour mechanisms could effectively challenge physical inactivity is essential. Targeting capability on a psychological level may facilitate PA and limit sedentary time/behaviour, whereas, on a physical level, maximizing PA opportunities could be crucial.

Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents—An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach

“…In accord with our findings in adults and older adults [14], clear associations were identified between components of mental health and PA both in children [35] and adolescents [21,28,35]. The relationship between mental health and PA is bi-directional, where poor mental health can be both a consequence or a cause of being less physically active [47]; poor mental health was reported as an important factor contributing to lower PA during lockdown [48].…”

“…It is clear that removing the physical opportunity to be active during the initial period of pandemic control restrictions, in line with the findings observed in adults and older adults [14], also had detrimental consequences for children and adolescents. It is perhaps pertinent to note the potential difference between the relative duration of the pandemicrelated restrictions and the long-term ramifications on PA and sedentary time/behaviour.…”

“…To ensure that all relevant articles were captured, the population-level criteria were not applied until full-text screening. Given the number of extracted full texts, the population was split into adults and older adults (≥18 years) [14], which is reported separately and provides further methodological details, and children and adolescents aged 5-17 years. However, briefly, this integrative review included studies published in English which assessed correlates of PA and sedentary time/behaviour in children and adolescents (aged 5-17 years) during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…If appropriate interventions and policies are not implemented to enhance, or at least reinstate pre-pandemic opportunities to be physically active, the effects on children and adolescents, particularly those at greatest risk (i.e., poor health-behaviour patterns; low socioeconomic status) may be amplified. In accord with an integrative review in adults and older adults [14], such oversights could widen socioeconomic health-related disparities, though the cross-sectional nature of the studies conducted to date, coupled with the reliance on subjective recall measures, makes this assertion difficult to quantify. For this population group, future policy also needs to consider other social factors, specifically, the potentially important role of strategies that promote co-participation, and the exploration of the provision of options, including through digital media platforms, that do not further disadvantage those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.…”

Exploring barriers and facilitators to physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

“…These findings are consistent with a survey study on determinants of PA during the COVID-19 pandemic, which found that physical opportunity and reflective motivation were the most consistent predictors of behaviour (Spence et al, 2021). Knight et al (2021) also found that many themes related to physical opportunity. However, they also found that several themes mapped onto physical or psychological capability.…”