DIGITAL EXERCISE PLATFORMS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: Covid-19 pandemic promoted social isolation and the consequent reduction of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and increased sedentary behavior (SB). As a strategy to change the reduction MVPA chart and increase SB, digital platforms to exercises (DPE) became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: Verify if there are differences in physical activity (walking time and MVPA) and sedentary behavior (week, weekend, and all week) between women who used DPE and did not use (No DPE) during the pandemic. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. Women over 18 years old from all federative units and all regions of Brazil were invited to participate in this study through a link sent via email and social networks. Participation occurred by completing the online questionnaires [Demographic Characteristics, Physical Activity, and SB (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - IPAQ)]. The IPAQ is a tool widely used and validated for the Brazilian population and has high correlations with direct measures of physical activity. Results: A total of 2.385 women answered the questionnaire (predominance single women, incomplete university education, and monthly income <US$450). Our main finding was that the group DPE during the COVID-19 pandemic had more (p<0.0001) walking time (minutes per week) [DPE: 90 (30-180) vs. no DPE: 40 (0-120), and MVPA [DPE: 180 (60-420) vs. no DPE: 100 (0-320). Additionally, differences (p<0.0001) in SB during the week (hour per day) [DPE: 5 (2-7) vs. no DPE: 6 (3-8)], SB during the weekend [DPE: 5 (2-8) vs. no DPE: 6 (3-9)] and SB all the week [DPE: 5 (3-7) vs. No DPE: 6 (4-9)]. Conclusions: Our results indicate that women who use DPE demonstrate higher physical activity levels and lower SB than those who do not.