Impact Of Activity Monitoring On Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Weight During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Emerging evidence has reported decreases in individuals’ physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study sought to assess the ability of physical activity monitoring to mitigate these negative outcomes. Such devices may promote physical activity and discourage sedentary behavior by providing feedback to the users. Therefore, individuals who do not use physical activity monitoring may report greater pandemic-related reductions in physical activity and greater increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight relative to individuals who use monitors. PURPOSE: To assess the ability of physical activity monitoring to moderate potential changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and bodyweight due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A sample of adults from a public, American university (N = 404, 40.3 ± 15.3 years old) completed an online survey consisting of validated questionnaires assessing self-reported mild, moderate, and strenuous physical activity (Godin), sedentary behavior (IPAQ), and bodyweight. Participants reported these variables for two separate time points: prior to the closure of campus due to the pandemic in March of 2020 and again at the time of the survey administration (May-June 2020). Participants also reported whether they did (n = 172) or did not (n = 232) regularly use physical activity monitoring devices. RESULTS: Two group (monitors, no monitors) by two time point (pre-, post-campus closure) ANOVAs revealed significant (p < 0.001) main effects of time for sitting and bodyweight but not for any measure of physical activity (p ≥ 0.15). On average, participants increased sitting by 67.8 ± 156.6 min/day and gained 1.4 ± 7.6 lbs. from pre- to post-campus closure. There were also significant (p ≤ 0.02) main effects of group as participants who used monitors reported 58% greater strenuous physical activity, 11% lower mild physical activity and 10% less sitting than those that did not use monitors. However, there were no significant (p ≥ 0.15) group by time interactions for any variable. CONCLUSIONS: While physical activity was not affected, participants reported significant increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of a physical activity monitor did not moderate these effects.