Effects Of Interrupted Routine Due To Covid-19 On Circadian Chronotype And Leisure Time Physical Activity

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in physical activity, sport participation, and chronotype scores prior to and following COVID-19 related restrictions. METHODS: 128 active males (n = 62) and females (n = 66) between the ages of 18-55 years old (24.7 ± 7.1 years) completed an online survey consisting of a demographics questionnaire, the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and the Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity Scale (LTPA). Participants were asked to consider questions before and after COVID-19. The MEQ scores were totaled and individuals were categorized into morning (MT), intermediate (IT) and evening (ET) chronotypes. Three-way [pre-COVID chronotype (MT, IT, ET) x pre-COVID sport participation (recreational, organized) x time (pre-COVID, post-COVID)] repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to evaluate MEQ scores and LTPA. RESULTS: A significant main effect of time was found for both MEQ (p = 0.018) and LTPA (p = 0.002) indicating changes in response to COVID-19 of -2.053 units (95% confidence interval = -0.361 to -3.744 units; d = -0.212) and -8.533 units (95% confidence interval = -3.328 to -13.378 units; d = -0.287), respectively. A significant time x chronotype interaction was shown for MEQ (p < 0.001) with MT individuals indicating changes in response to COVID-19 of -8.557 units (95% confidence interval = -4.392 to -12.722 units; p < 0.001), IT individuals indicating changes of -2.315 units (95% confidence interval = -.675 to -5.306 units; p = .044) and ET individuals indicating changes of +4.714 units (95% confidence interval = 10.423 to –0.995 units; p = 0.044;), respectively. CONCLUSION: MEQ scores changed in response to COVID-19, with MT experiencing the greatest change, followed by ET, with an overall shift toward IT scores for both groups. LTPA was also decreased in response to COVID-19. Specific routine changes influencing the change in MEQ and LTPA scores should be identified in subsequent investigations.