Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Chinese Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Repeated-Measure Study throughout One Year.

Ke Ning,Xinli Chi,Kaixin Liang,Si-Tong Chen

doi:10.3390/healthcare9111404

Abstract

Though we know physical activity (PA) decreased while sedentary behavior (SB) increased compared to that before the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about subsequent changes in PA and SB throughout one year in the post-pandemic era. This study aimed to examine the changes in PA and SB in a sample of Chinese young adults using a four-wave repeated-measure design during the pandemic. A total of 411 participants provided self-reported data of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., sex, age), PA, and SB. Nonparametric tests and generalized estimating equations were conducted. Results revealed significant changes in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA), and SB. The MVPA of Wave 1, 2, and 3 was significantly less than that of Wave 4 (p < 0.001); the LPA of Wave 1 and 2 was significantly less than that of Wave 4; the SB of Wave 1 was significantly more than that of Wave 4 (p < 0.05). Being female was the only predictor of changes in MVPA (Beta = −0.311, p < 0.001). Being female (Beta = 0.115, p = 0.003) and perceived family affluence (Beta = −0.059, p < 0.001) were predictors of changes in SB. As such, PA was less, while SB was more during the early stages of the pandemic. With the progress of the pandemic stages, health behaviors in young adults have been gradually improved. Sex and perceived family affluence were two important factors in predicting health behaviors. Our results can inform efficient policies or interventions in the COVID-19 era and future similar public health events.

Highlights

The risks of insufficient physical activity (PA) and excessive sedentary behavior (SB) on the health burden have been well documented in the previous literature [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
More than 50% of study samples lived in urban areas and more females lived in urban areas than males (p = 0.027)
We found that compared to the later remission stage of the pandemic, both moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and light PA (LPA) were significantly higher in the early stages, especially PA

Summary

Introduction

The risks of insufficient physical activity (PA) and excessive sedentary behavior (SB) on the health burden have been well documented in the previous literature [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people’s lifestyles across the world have been dramatically changed, owing to the corresponding social distancing and lockdown. Given the important health impacts of PA and SB [22,23,24], studies on the levels and changes of PA and SB are needed to inform health policymakers and practitioners to develop health education and behavior interventions on the specific population during this pandemic, and other future relevant events

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