Physical Activity In A University Community Before And After A Covid-19 Shutdown

Abstract

Achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA) is important for achieving and maintaining health. Recent guidelines state that any amount of PA has positive effects. With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the transition to remote teaching and learning, as well as changes to the daily work routine of university staff, overall PA levels were likely impacted. PURPOSE: To assess whether a significant change in PA occurred before and after one university transitioned to remote learning. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from the James Madison University (JMU) community who owned and wore a commercial physical activity (PA) monitoring device for 30 days prior to the JMU spring break in March 2020, as well as 30 days after. During the JMU spring break, the campus went from in-person instruction to 100% online instruction. Subjects completed an anonymous online survey and input uploaded step data from their online account. Paired sample t-tests were utilized to examine differences before and after JMU spring break. RESULTS: Eighty-one subjects (age = 32.4 ± 13.6, BMI = 26.3 ± 6.8, 63 female, 17 male) completed the survey. Sample included 42 students, 38 staff and faculty, and 1 family member of a JMU student. The 30-day step average for the 30 days before spring break (8542.1 ± 3215.4) was higher than the 30-day step average for the 30 days after spring break (7116.6 ± 3587.8, P < 0.001). The 7-day mean step average for the week before spring break (8707.6 ± 3348.6) vs. the week after after was also higher (7150.0 ± 3350.0, P < 0.001). Weekday step averages were higher before spring break (8694.5 ± 3182.9) vs. after (6939.5 ± 3481.3, P < 0.001), as were weekend step averages (8145.4 ± 3815.2 vs. 7587.7 ± 4198.9, for before and after break, respectively, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Results found that physical activity levels were altered after stay-at-home orders took effect. Overall PA declined immediately after the week of spring break, as well as for the 30 days after spring break. This change is likely a reflection of the significant amount of everyday transport PA that is needed to navigate daily life on a university campus (walking to class, to work, walking associated with job duties, etc.) that was removed due to stay-at-home orders, and could impact the health of these individuals as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.