Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of the first English national COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity (PA), sitting time, eating behaviours and body mass in an adult cohort. This was further examined to determine whether conforming to recommended guidelines on PA and sedentary behaviour was improved. Based on an online survey (n = 818) incorporating the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), self-reported body mass change showed that in 32.2% of participants body mass increased, with 39.1% reporting an increase in food intake. Never exercising at the gym or undertaking an exercise class (online or live), increased by 50.8% during lockdown, with 53.5% changing from exercising frequently to never exercising, suggesting a lack of engagement with online and home workouts. However, outdoor running and cycling >2 times/week increased by 38% during lockdown. Walking at least 30 min continuously on >2 occasions/week increased by 70% during lockdown with minimum 10-min walks on 7 days per week increasing by 23%. The lockdown had a negative impact on sitting time (>8 h a day), which increased by 43.6% on weekdays and 121% at weekends. Furthermore, sitting <4 h/day decreased during lockdown (46.5% and 25.6% for weekdays and weekends, respectively). Those citing tiredness or lack of time as a barrier to exercise reduced by 16% and 60%, respectively, from pre-lockdown to during lockdown. More of the sedentary group met the Public Health England PA recommendations, however most participants still did not meet the UK Government guidelines for PA. Improvements in health per additional minutes of physical activity will be proportionately greater in those previously doing <30 min/week, the area where most improvements were found although, conversely sitting time was greatly increased. This study may assist in informing whether future lifestyle changes could improve the health of the population.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on 30 January 2020, and a pandemic on 11 March 2020 [1]
The United Kingdom (UK) Government enforced a lockdown on the UK population from 23 March 2020, resulting in most adults and children staying at home, only allowed to leave the household for certain activities [2]
This study found that there was a 70% increase in those walking at least 30 min continuously 3 or more times a week during lockdown, which slightly below the minimum recommendation of 150 min per week is still a positive increase in the amount of physical activity (PA) undertaken by the participants and reduced sedentary behaviours as recommended by the WHO [6]
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on 30 January 2020, and a pandemic on 11 March 2020 [1]. The United Kingdom (UK) Government enforced a lockdown on the UK population from 23 March 2020, resulting in most adults and children staying at home, only allowed to leave the household for certain activities [2]. These measures were relaxed in mid-May 2020 and enforced again in November 2020. During the first phase of lockdown (23 March to 13 May 2020) many people were furloughed or allowed to work from home, resulting in a change in living conditions, and lifestyle. The lockdown itself posed challenges for those working with school or nursery age children, as childcare was not available, except for children of key workers
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