Abstract P223: Long Term Impact of COVID19 Pandemic on Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity Level in South American Adults: Results From the Lown Scholars PAFIT Network Online Survey

Abstract

Background: While restriction measures helped to control the further transmission of the SARS-cov2 virus, they also produced undesirable repercussions on physical activity level (PAL) and, potentially, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). However, the extent to which CRF has returned to pre-pandemic levels in the current time has yet to be consistently evaluated, especially in South America. Objective: We aimed to assess changes in PAL and estimated CRF (eCRF) from before the COVID-19 pandemic until the current time using an online survey with validated questionnaires and identifying the determinants of the observed changes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to assess physical activity and sedentary time on a convenience sample of 1934 adults (68.7% women) from Argentina (n = 484), Brazil (n = 405), Chile (n = 279), Colombia (n = 343) and Uruguay (n = 423). We asked participants questions regarding their physical activity, body weight, socioeconomic status, education and cardiovascular risk factors before the start of the pandemic (Feb/Mar 2020) and at the time of the survey (Jul-Sep 2022). We calculated the eCRF before the pandemic and at the current time using a Brazilian equation including age, sex, body mass index, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, current smoking, physical inactivity, and diabetes. To adjust for age, we also calculated eCRF using only the current time age. Results: The participants reported a significant increase in the prevalence of self reported hypertension (12.9% to 16.5%), diabetes (6.8% to 9.8%), dyslipidemia (18.9% to 24%), and obesity (15.4% to 18.2%) comparing pre-COVID-19 period to the time of the survey. In contrast, they reported a significant decrease in PAL at work (median 936.5 to 864.6 METs/min/week; p < 0.032) and within active transportation domains (median 502.6 to 460.3 METs/min/week; p < 0.008). No significant changes were reported in leisure time physical activity. The median sedentary time on weekdays increased by 60 minutes (360 to 420; p < 0.001) post pandemic and eCRF was reduced (mean difference, -1.17 mL/min/kg; p < 0.001). When adjusted for age, the differences remained statistically significant. (-0.50; mL/min/kgmL/min/kg; p 0.001). Conclusion: Social restriction policies aimed at controlling pandemics may lead to reduction in physical activity level and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long term.