Abstract
Background: The lockdown and social distancing caused by COVID-19 may influence common health behavior. The unprecedent worldwide confinement, in which Spain has been one of the most affected—with severe rules governing confinement—may have changed physical activity (PA) and sedentary habits due to prolonged stays at home. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate how self-reported PA and sedentary time (ST) have changed during confinement in the Spanish population. Methods: 3800 healthy adults (age 18–64 years) residing in Spain answered the international physical activity questionnaire short (IPAQ-S) twice between 23 March and 1 April (confinement). Data analysis was carried out taking into consideration meeting general PA recommendations before confinement, age and gender. Results: Self-reported PA decreased significantly during confinement in our sample. Vigorous physical activities (VPA) and walking time decreased by 16.8% (p < 0.001) and 58.2% (p < 0.001), respectively, whereas ST increased by 23.8% (p < 0.001). The percent of people fulfilling the 75 min/week of VPA recommendation decreased by 10.7% (p < 0.001) while the percent of people who reached 150 min/week of moderate activity barely changed (1.4%). The group that performed the most VPA before confinement showed the greatest decrease (30.5%, p < 0.001). Men reduced time in VPA more than women (21% vs 9%, respectively) who even increased time in moderate PA by 11% (p < 0.05) and reported less increase in ST than men (35% vs 25.3%, respectively). Conclusion: The Spanish adult population, especially young people, students and very active men, decreased daily self-reported PA and increased ST during COVID-19 confinement.
Highlights
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) [1] declared a global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-Covid-2), which has become a public health emergency of international concern
In Spain it was declared on 17 March and the government ordered a lockdown to restrict travel and cancel non-essential services in order to stop the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) [2]
The impact was high in men, young people, students and the very active population
Summary
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) [1] declared a global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-Covid-2), which has become a public health emergency of international concern. During its first phase of expansion outside China, Italy and Spain were the most affected countries reporting most cases and deaths. They were the first nations to declare a state of emergency in Europe. In Spain it was declared on 17 March and the government ordered a lockdown to restrict travel and cancel non-essential services in order to stop the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) [2]. The ongoing lockdown across the country has no precedent and it is unknown how this may affect the general population’s health and wellbeing. In these circumstances, the sudden and stressful. Vigorous physical activities (VPA) and walking time decreased by 16.8% (p < 0.001) and 58.2% (p < 0.001), respectively, whereas ST increased by 23.8%
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
