Physical Activity Change during COVID-19 Confinement

Abstract

Background: The lockdown and social distancing caused by COVID-19 may influence common health behavior. The unprecedent worldwide confinement, in which Spain has been one of the most affected—with severe rules governing confinement—may have changed physical activity (PA) and sedentary habits due to prolonged stays at home. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate how self-reported PA and sedentary time (ST) have changed during confinement in the Spanish population. Methods: 3800 healthy adults (age 18–64 years) residing in Spain answered the international physical activity questionnaire short (IPAQ-S) twice between 23 March and 1 April (confinement). Data analysis was carried out taking into consideration meeting general PA recommendations before confinement, age and gender. Results: Self-reported PA decreased significantly during confinement in our sample. Vigorous physical activities (VPA) and walking time decreased by 16.8% (p < 0.001) and 58.2% (p < 0.001), respectively, whereas ST increased by 23.8% (p < 0.001). The percent of people fulfilling the 75 min/week of VPA recommendation decreased by 10.7% (p < 0.001) while the percent of people who reached 150 min/week of moderate activity barely changed (1.4%). The group that performed the most VPA before confinement showed the greatest decrease (30.5%, p < 0.001). Men reduced time in VPA more than women (21% vs 9%, respectively) who even increased time in moderate PA by 11% (p < 0.05) and reported less increase in ST than men (35% vs 25.3%, respectively). Conclusion: The Spanish adult population, especially young people, students and very active men, decreased daily self-reported PA and increased ST during COVID-19 confinement.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students' Physical Activity Levels: An Early Systematic Review

“…Another interesting finding from our review is that, generally, those that were sufficiently active before the confinement (i.e., achieving current minimum recommendations for adults of at least 150 min per week of MVPA; U.S. Department of Health Human Services, 2018 ), were also sufficiently active during the lockdown, despite the reduction in PA levels. This finding, which has been reported also in adults (Castañeda-Babarro et al, 2020 ), could suggest that achieving the recommendations on MVPA help in creating a stronger habit of being physically active, which seemed not to be affected to a large extent by the confinements imposed due to COVID-19.…”

“…These results are in line with the findings from previous studies in both adults and children. Castañeda-Babarro et al ( 2020 ) reported significant decreases in self-reported vigorous PA and walking time of 16.8 and 58.2%, respectively; whereas time spent in sedentary behavior increased during the confinement in Spain. The student group (from children to university students) showed the highest decrease in moderate, vigorous, and waking activities.…”

Patterns of Change in Dietary Habits and Physical Activity during Lockdown in Spain Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In Spain, outdoor activity outside the home was strictly restricted during lockdown, including for PA. Other research reported less time of PA and increased sedentary lifestyle during lockdown in adults in Spain [ 14 ] and in other countries [ 36 ]. In countries with less restrictive confinement measures, which allowed going out of the home to practice PA in open air, an increase in PA has been reported, but also increased time dedicated to sedentary activities, with a negative impact on perceived health [ 16 ].…”

“…A number of authors have reported changes in food habits during confinement in several countries [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] and in different age groups [ 9 , 12 , 13 ]. Changes in PA and quality of sleep associated with confinement have been reported as well [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. All those changes in lifestyles can influence the evolution of chronic diseases and risk factors in many people [ 12 , 13 , 16 , 18 , 19 ] with a negative health impact.…”

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic Movement Restrictions on Self-Reported Physical Activity and Health in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…The Director General of the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11 March 2020, which resulted in significant movement restrictions globally and within nations, and this crisis has impacted adults’ ability to engage in the recommended levels of PA and exercise. Some international surveys were conducted early on during the COVID-19 pandemic to investigate the effect of the lockdowns on self-reported PA levels [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. These studies have indicated significant declines in self-reported physical activity levels during COVID-19 restrictions compared to before.…”