Evolution of physical activity habits after a context change: The case of COVID-19 lockdown.

Silvio Maltagliati,Amanda Rebar,Matthieu P Boisgontier,Philippe Sarrazin,Cyril Forestier,David Sander,Nikos Ntoumanis,Boris Cheval,Layan Fessler,Hasmini Sivaramakrishnan,Benjamin Gardner,Dan Orsholits,Aïna Chalabaev

doi:10.1111/bjhp.12524

Abstract

ObjectiveHabits, defined as well‐learned associations between cues and behaviours, are essential for health‐related behaviours, including physical activity (PA). Despite the sensitivity of habits to context changes, little remains known about the influence of a context change on the interplay between PA habits and behaviours. We investigated the evolution of PA habits amidst the spring COVID‐19 lockdown, a major context change. Moreover, we examined the association of PA behaviours and autonomous motivation with this evolution.DesignThree‐wave observational longitudinal design.MethodsPA habits, behaviours, and autonomous motivation were collected through online surveys in 283 French and Swiss participants. Variables were self‐reported with reference to three time‐points: before‐, mid‐, and end‐lockdown.ResultsMixed effect modelling revealed a decrease in PA habits from before‐ to mid‐lockdown, especially among individuals with strong before‐lockdown habits. Path analysis showed that before‐lockdown PA habits were not associated with mid‐lockdown PA behaviours (β = −.02, p = .837), while mid‐lockdown PA habits were positively related to end‐lockdown PA behaviours (β = .23, p = .021). Autonomous motivation was directly associated with PA habits (ps < .001) and withto before‐ and mid‐lockdown PA behaviours (ps < .001) (but not with end‐lockdown PA behaviours) and did not moderate the relations between PA behaviours and habits (ps > .072).ConclusionPA habits were altered, and their influence on PA behaviours was impeded during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Engagement in PA behaviours and autonomous motivation helped in counteracting PA habits disruption.

Highlights

Physical activity (PA) is associated with many beneficial outcomes relating to physical and mental health (Rebar et al, 2015; Warburton, 2006)
physical activity (PA) habits were altered, and their influence on PA behaviours was impeded during the COVID-19 lockdown
Engagement in PA behaviours and autonomous motivation helped in counteracting PA habits disruption

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) is associated with many beneficial outcomes relating to physical and mental health (Rebar et al, 2015; Warburton, 2006). During the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging in active behaviours has been shown to be of special relevance to counteract the detrimental mental health effects of lockdown, which was imposed in most parts of the world during spring 2020 (World Health Organization, 2020). Such detrimental effects include, for instance, anxiety and depression (Xiong et al, 2020). Studies have shown that when individuals have strong habits, they are likely to act in line with these habits even when their intention is momentarily weakened – thereby favouring the maintenance of behaviours over time (Gardner, Lally, Lally, & Rebar, 2020). One study found that 90% of regular exercisers reported that their PA behaviours were automatically prompted by a particular location or a specific time (Tappe, Tarves, Oltarzewski, & Frum, 2013)

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