Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of social distancing on physical activity (PA) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in active Spanish older adults according to their physical functionality. The study included 58 older adults aged 76.24 ± 6.00 years who were enrolled in a supervised physical exercise program before the COVID-19 outbreak. Anthropometric, physical function, physical activity and HRQoL were measured at baseline (October 2019). After the two-month lockdown due to the COVID-19, questionnaires were collected again during de-escalation (May 2020). Participants were divided into high- (n = 29) and low-functionality (n = 29) groups. Total PA, walking and cleaning significantly decreased (p < 0.001) whilst exercising or dancing increased (p < 0.001). General health, social and emotional role functioning dimensions and overall mental component scores worsened (p < 0.01–p < 0.05). Low-functionality participants had significantly lower physical functioning scores at baseline (p < 0.01) and lower bodily pain scores at de-escalation (p < 0.01). Emotional role functioning dimension and overall mental component significantly decreased only in low-functionality participants (p < 0.05). Although PA levels decreased significantly, older adults continued being active regardless of their functionality. While mental HRQoL in participants with higher physical functionality remained unchanged, participants with lower functional capacity had a higher risk of mental health concerns. Therefore, attention should focus on strategies to mitigate the negative effects of distancing measures on older people’s mental health, especially in those with lower functionality.
Highlights
The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic negatively affected people’s way of life regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity [1,2]
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of social distancing measures on physical activity levels (PA) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a group of Spanish older adults who previously participated in a supervised exercise program
PA levels of Spanish older adults who formerly participated in a supervised exercise program decreased significantly during lockdown, adults continued being active and met the exercise recommendations regardless of their functionality
Summary
The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic negatively affected people’s way of life regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity [1,2]. During this period, the population was asked to remain at home, with permission to leave home applicable only for essential work, shopping, or medical reasons. A subsequent de-escalation period began on 11 May 2020; restrictive measures were gradually lifted through 21 June 2020 [3]. Such strategies are essential to containing the spread of COVID-19 [4,5], they could negatively affect physical activity levels (PA) [6]. In a large sample of the Spanish adult population, weekly PA significantly decreased and sedentary time increased during confinement, in men, young people, students, and the very active [7]. Reduction in PA and exercise levels is of particular concern in older individuals, who are typically more inactive and prone to chronic diseases, frailty, poor health-related
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