Abstract
The spread of the COVID-19 virus was met by a strict lockdown in many countries around the world, with the closure of all physical activity (PA) facilities and limitations on moving around freely. The aim of the present online survey was to assess the effect of lockdown on physical activity in Italy. Physical activity was assessed using the European Health Interview Survey questionnaire. A total of 1500 datasets were analyzed. Differences between conditions were tested with a chi2-based (χ2) test for categorical variables, and with the Student’s t-test for paired data. A fixed effects binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify relevant predictor variables to explain the compliance with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations. We found a substantial decline in all physical activity measures. Mean differences in walking and cycling metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week (METmin/week), respectively, were 344.4 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 306.6–382.2; p < 0.001) and 148.5 (95% CI: 123.6–173.5; p < 0.001). Time spent in leisure time decreased from 160.8 to 112.6 min/week (mean difference 48.2; 95% CI: 40.4–56.0; p < 0.001). Compliance with WHO recommendations decreased from 34.9% to 24.6% (chi2 (1, 3000) = 38.306, p < 0.001, V = 0.11). Logistic regression showed a reduced chance (OR 0.640, 95% CI: 0.484–0.845; p = 0.001) to comply with WHO PA recommendations under lockdown conditions. Measures to promote physical activity should be intensified to limit detrimental health effects.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has evolved to be a worldwide pandemic
Of the total number of respondents, 4.7%, 64.1%, 23.4%, and 7.9% were categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9), and obese (BMI ≥ 30), respectively
We found the highest effect sizes in transport related physical activity (TRPA), in which domain physical activity (PA) basically halved (MET-minutes reduced by 52%)
Summary
The highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has evolved to be a worldwide pandemic. Was one of the European countries which was hardest hit by the pandemic in the spring of 2020 [1,2,3]. Was registered for the whole country, with a rate of 400% in the northern provinces, which were the most severely affected by the pandemic [3]. In the spring of 2020, full or partial lockdown was implemented in more than 100 countries worldwide, with Italy as the first country in Europe to introduce such measures [6]. At the time of the outbreak of the pandemic, neither an effective preventive vaccine nor specific pharmaceutical options were widely available, traditional public health measures such as hygiene rules, isolation, social distancing, and quarantine were identified as successful strategies to contain the spread of the virus [4,5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
