Study of changes in university students’ exercise routine and locations pre and during COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

COVID-19 requires new normal lifestyle, one challenge is physical activity. As inactivity leads to health problems, understanding the changing situation regarding physical activities and its environment are important. In this study, we conducted an online questionnaire of 120 university students in Tokyo regarding changes in number of steps, types of and places for exercise / sports, and their spatial settings in 2019 and 2020. Findings are as follows: a) Average number of steps per day increased significantly in February 2020 compared to February 2019, while March, April, May, and June 2020 decreased significantly compared to same months in 2019 (n = 37). b) Muscle training and yoga / stretching increased significantly in April 2020 compared to April 2019. Whereas, walking, cycling, ball sports, and racket sports markedly decreased in April 2020 compared to April 2019(n = 86). c) Places used for exercise / sports, indoors at home rose considerably in 2020 compared to 2019. While use of medium-sized parks，outdoor / indoor sports facilities, swimming pools and gyms fell significantly (n = 86). d) Setting of places used for exercise / sports, the use of quiet and non-crowded places increased, while places close to work / campus and lively areas was notably reduced (n = 79).