Abstract
In the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, lockdown measures were reinstalled and were in place between November 2020 and April 2021, including the closure of physical activity facilities. The aim of the current online survey was to assess the lockdown effects on physical activity and well-being in the general population. Pre-lockdown vs. lockdown differences were tested with the Χ2 test and the Student’s t-test for paired data. Predictor variables to explain compliance with physical activity recommendations were identified using a fixed-effects binary logistic regression analysis. Data of 993 respondents were analyzed. Transport-related and leisure-time physical activity decreased (p < 0.001, d = 0.25, and p < 0.001, d = 0.33, respectively). Compliance with physical activity recommendations decreased from 42.2% to 29.4% (chi2 (1, 1986) = 35.335, p < 0.001, V = 0.13). Well-being decreased significantly (t (990) = 23.405, p < 0.001) by 16.3 points (d = 0.74). Physical activity and well-being declined in German adults during the second COVID-19-related lockdown. Physical activity should be promoted also in light of the emerging evidence on its protective effects against COVID-19.
Highlights
The COVID-19 disease pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, has progressed in waves in Germany [1]
We found that all physical activity (PA) measures declined during the first lockdown; compliance with current PA recommendations sunk from 38.1%
Retired, students, pupils) (n = 552) or short-term work (n = 68) vs. no short-term work (n = 925), respectively, we found a significant interaction for differences in decreases in Transport-Related Physical Activity (TRPA), with a larger decrease in the remote-work subsample compared to the non-remote-working part of the sample (F (1, 911) = 28.105, p < 0.001, eta2 p = 0.028) (Figure 1)
Summary
The COVID-19 disease pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, has progressed in waves in Germany [1]. After the summer with relatively low levels of incidence, hospitalization and mortality, the second wave hit the country in late September 2020, peaked at the end of the year and lasted until the end of February 2021 [1]. In order to curb infection and mortality, a moderately strict lockdown came into force on 2 November 2020 in Germany [4]. Already the measures of the 2 November included the closure of physical activity (PA) facilities, such as sports and fitness clubs and swimming pools. On 23 April 2021 a unified “Federal Emergency Brake” was implemented, which made all potential future restrictions and reopening measures dependent on regional incidence values [5]. Though with some regional differences, widespread reopening of PA facilities did not take place before April 2021, which means they were closed for about six months
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