Moderators of Change in Physical Activity Levels during Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Young Urban Adults

Josip Karuc,Maroje Sorić,Ivan Radman,Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković

doi:10.3390/su12166392

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate moderators of change in physical activity (PA) levels after 30 days (30-d) of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults. This research is an extension of the CRO-PALS study and analyses for this study were performed on young adults (20–21 y.o., n = 91). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sport participation, student and socioeconomic status were assessed pre- and post-30-d restrictions. Differences in MVPA levels were examined using repeated-measures ANOVAs. After 30-d of restrictions, the drop in MVPA in females (−64.8 min/day, p = 0.006) and males was shown (−57.7 min/day, p < 0.00). However, active participants decreased, while non-active peers increased their MVPA level (−100.7 min/day, p < 0.00, and +48.9 min/day, p = 0.051, respectively). Moreover, students and non-students decreased their MVPA level (−69.0 min/day, p < 0.00, and −35.0 min/day, p = 0.22, respectively) as well as sport participants and non-sport participants (−95.3 min/day, p < 0.001, and −53.9 min/day, p < 0.00, respectively). Our results suggest that 30-d of restrictions equally affect females and males where the evident drop in MVPA is seen in both genders. However, active people decreased their PA level during lockdown and the opposite pattern was seen in non-active peers, where restrictions for them can represent an opportunity to change their behavior in a positive direction in order to gain better health status.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic currently represents a major global problem, with significant health, social and economic consequences
The results suggest that restriction measures affected the physical activity (PA) of both sexes as there was an evident drop in Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in both female, and male young adults
While other studies attributed this drop in PA to the limited ability for participation in organized sport due to restrictions imposed, the drop in MVPA in this study was similar in both youths that usually participated in organized sports and their peers that did not

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic currently represents a major global problem, with significant health, social and economic consequences. Since the numbers are still increasing [1], countries’ policies proclaimed social isolation as an effective measure of combating the pandemic [2]. In line with global efforts, between 19 March and 11 May, 2020, the Croatian Government adopted measures to restrict gathering in public places and parks, suspend public transportation, and close institutions. Work in retail and services including sports activities were prohibited. People living in cities and urban areas seem to be the most affected by these measures, as they were obligated to stay at home and likely reduce their common activities. Reducing the PA level could have a negative health impact, even among healthy, uninfected people [3]

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Methods

Conclusion