The COVID-19 Pandemic Strain: Teleworking and Health Behavior Changes in the Portuguese Context

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a societal essay, based on thorough measures of individual and communitarian protection, ranging from compulsory social distancing to quarantine. Following WHO recommendations, more or less strict policies were adopted by governments worldwide in order to mitigate public health risks. In Portugal, the first state of emergency was declared on 18 March 2020 and renewed until 2 May 2020. During this time, most citizens stayed in quarantine with practical implications regarding their work and daily activities. This exploratory study, conducted within the pandemic crisis context in Portugal, intends to grasp specificities of the adaptation to the lock down and social isolation/distancing measures, concerning, specifically, teleworking conditions and physical activity practice. Data was collected from March to May 2020 through an online survey from 1148 participants of different age groups and literacy. Considering that COVID-19 features a mutual feedback loop of disease and social dynamics—governmental measures, civic adjustments, and individual coping—to know more about what was featured, the first wave may provide some cues to ensure a more efficient co-operation among social actors and, ultimately, tailor better public policies towards teleworking, online distance learning, and the promotion of healthy behaviours.

Contextual Factors Influencing Young Athletes’ Decision to Do Physical Activity and Choose a Sports’ Club: The Case of Portugal

“…But even though these designations share similarities, such as being related to activities performed by individuals in their daily life, they differ in some important aspects. Exercise is a subcategory of physical activity; it is planned, structured and repetitive [ 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Sports, on the other hand, are even a more specific form of physical activity; they are structured, competitive, subject to rules and strategies [ 14 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has forced societal changes, based on thorough measures of individual and communitarian protection, ranging from compulsory social distancing to quarantine, which have resulted in major changes in both work and social lives [ 17 , 24 ]. As Adam and colleagues [ 29 ] point out, the world was forced to reinvent himself and people acquired new behaviors, including the practice of physical activity at home.…”

“…However, those who did it were still susceptible to situations of anxiety, frustration, and sleep disorders, putting their well-being in jeopardy [ 29 ]. Such portrait shows how important is to maintain physical/sports activity, as its practice benefits individuals, both physically and mentally [ 17 , 31 ].…”

“…We hypothesize that the neighborhood environment and the proximity to the sports club, and social factors work jointly to account for adolescents’ decision. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact in several areas of society, including physical activity and sports [ 17 ]. It is therefore important to understand the impacts of this public health phenomenon in sports organizations and in sports routines of individuals.…”

Sustained Effects of Government Response on the COVID-19 Infection Rate in China: A Multiple Mediation Analysis

“…Specifically, 61.6% of the infections and 55% of the deaths reported nationwide by May 3, 2020 could have been avoided if these preventive and control measures had been implemented just one week earlier [ 4 ]. A study of the relationship between the first emergency quarantine policy in Portugal from 18 March to 2 May 2020 and the public’s health behaviour showed that 79.8% of the participants, whose physical activity took place indoors, complied with the government quarantine measures and adapted their health behaviour [ 21 ]. Therefore, early social distancing plays a key role in relieving pressure on healthcare facilities and ensuring a sustained supply of healthcare resources.…”