Abstract
Background: In March 2020 home confinement was imposed to Greek residents as a measure to abate the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to elucidate changes in physical activity (PA) levels that occurred during confinement in a collegiate population in Greece. Methods: 565 collegiate students and staff participated in a retrospective cross-sectional online survey measuring PA related behaviours before and during the confinement period using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Results: The overall activity (IPAQ-SF MET-min score) decreased in the confinement- compared to the pre-confinement period [Md (Q1:Q3) pre vs. during: 2464 (1160; 5126) vs. 2247 (1074; 3999), p<0.001], driven exclusively by males (p<0.001) and the younger age group (18-31 years; p=0.003). Sitting increased in the total sample, including in each gender and age-group (all p<0.001). Compared to pre-confinement period, during confinement the odds of being in the ‘medium’ or ‘high’ moderate- to- vigorous PA group were 41% higher in females (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI=1.11-1.80, p=0.006) and 33% lower in males (aOR=0.67, 95% CI=0.50-0.88, p=0.005). Conclusion: There is a gendered pattern in observed changes in PA during the Covid-19 home confinement in the collegiate population, with females being those favored in comparison to males. 
 
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Highlights
In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.[1]
There is a gendered pattern in observed changes in physical activity (PA) during the Covid-19 home confinement in the collegiate population, with females being those favored in comparison to males
3.1 International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) MET—In the total sample, there was a significant 217-point decrease in the median IPAQSF MET-min score in the confinement- compared to pre-confinement period [Md (Q1, Q3) pre vs. during confinement: 2464 (1160, 5126) vs. 2247 (1074, 3999), p
Summary
In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.[1] Public health authorities around the world enforced measures and restrictions in order to contain the rate of infection. Most governments implemented nationwide lockdowns which forced people in social isolation and home confinement. Schools and Universities worldwide shut down for a long period of time and experienced a dramatic change in the mode of operation as all teaching was delivered online. In Greece, educational entities were forced to close their facilities on March 11, 2020, while on March 23 home confinement was imposed affecting the entire population. People could only leave house in order to buy supplies or meet basic needs, including outdoor physical activity, after informing the authorities with written movement permission documentation or a specific cellphone message
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