Abstract 13530: The Impact of COVID-19 Illness Risk on Physical Activity During the Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Risk related decision making for physical activity engagement changed during the pandemic. Importantly, life-threatening COVID-19 illness was riskier for adults with many chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases. Determining physical activity level differences between people at high versus low risk for severe COVID-19 is critical for targeting future approaches for improving physical activity and cardiovascular health. Hypotheses: Between March 2020 and May 2021, compared to adults at low risk for severe COVID-19, adults at high risk have 1) greater odds of inactivity; and 2) in adults reporting physical activity, high risk is associated with lower metabolic equivalent of task (MET). Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled English-speaking US adults age 18 years and older. Measures included demographic and health condition surveys, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form surveys at baseline, with IPAQ repeated at 3, 4, 7, 9, and 13 months. Inactivity was defined as reporting no activity bouts ≥ 10 minutes. Hypotheses testing used a two-part model of physical activity over time simultaneously fitting a logistic model of inactivity and a gamma model of total MET for the physically active while adjusting for age, gender, and race. Results: The sample included n = 687 (mean age = 42.4 ± 15.5, 78% women, 89% white). Odds of inactivity for COVID-19 high risk group was 2 to 4.1 times higher than that of low risk group at baseline and 13 months (Figure 1a). Physically active adults at high risk of severe COVID-19 had MET levels less than the low risk group at baseline (28%, p = .001), 3 (29%, p = .002), and 4 months (30%, p =.005), with no significant differences at later timepoints (see Figure 1b). Conclusions: Inactivity and MET level between group differences varied over time. Disproportionate odds of inactivity and lower MET levels was present primarily early in the pandemic in the high risk group.