Physical Activity during COVID-19 Lockdown: Data from An Italian Survey.

Matteo Guidetti,Greta Castellini,Alberto Averna,Tommaso Bocci,Roberta Ferrucci,Daniela Marino,Alberto Priori,Michelangelo Dini

doi:10.3390/healthcare9050513

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to impose quarantines and lockdowns as containment strategy, raising concerns about mental health and low level of physical activity performed by quarantined populations. In this study, we assess the level of physical activity and psychological wellbeing in a sample of the Italian population during lockdown through an online format of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Psychological General Well-Being index—Short version (PGWB-S). Of 317 adult responders considered, most were female (61.2%), young adults (52.4%), living in little-to-medium size cities (80.1%) and with high-level education (62.8%). Most of our sample performed physical activity mostly during leisure time and domestic activities, and 60.9% were highly active. No interactions were found between physical activity and the demographic characteristics considered. Subjects performing high level of physical activity felt more energetic and vital than those with moderate (p < 0.0001) and low levels (p < 0.0001) of physical activity. Our participants performed enough activity to satisfy the WHO Guidelines, mainly due to domestic activity and activity performed during leisure time, with an overall moderately positive psychological reaction to lockdown.

Highlights

In 2020, the diffusion of a novel virus (SARS-COV 2) causing severe respiratory syndrome (COVID-19) resulted in a global health crisis [1] and put great pressure on health systems [2]
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [7], sedentary behaviour is defined as “any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure of 1.5 Metabolic Equivalents of Task (METs) or lower while sitting, reclining or lying“, while physical activity is “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure”
physical activity (PA) was assessed through the Italian long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) [11]

Summary

Introduction

In 2020, the diffusion of a novel virus (SARS-COV 2) causing severe respiratory syndrome (COVID-19) resulted in a global health crisis [1] and put great pressure on health systems [2]. Several governments decided for social distancing, quarantine and temporary nationwide lockdown as containment strategies [3]. Such interventions impose changes of personal habits, with great psychological stress [4]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [7], sedentary behaviour is defined as “any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure of 1.5 Metabolic Equivalents of Task (METs) or lower while sitting, reclining or lying“, while physical activity is “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure”. Great concerns have been raised about the risk of negative consequences on mental and physical health of quarantined people [4], suggesting that people would not be able to satisfy minimal levels of PA to maintain health [8]. Moderate-intensity PA implies approximately 3–6 METs, while vigorous implies >6 METs

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