The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown During Spring 2020 on Personal Trainers' Working and Living Conditions.

Solfrid Bratland-Sanda,Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen,Christine Sundgot-Borgen,Therese Fostervold Mathisen,Jan Ove Tangen

doi:10.3389/fspor.2020.589702

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to map changes in working and living conditions of Norwegian personal trainers (PTs) during the Covid-19 lockdown spring 2020.Methods: A total of 150 PTs (mean (SD) age 35.5 (8.4) years, with 6.5 (5.3) years of experience as PT, and 61% female) in Norway responded to an online survey.Results: Number of PT sessions per week was reduced during the lockdown and the majority of the respondents reported loss of clients and negative impact on their working conditions. The official restrictions and guidelines were considered difficult to interpret and somewhat discriminatory compared to restrictions and guidelines for other comparable exercise occupational groups. The lockdown period provided more PTs to offer online and outdoor training. Living conditions were also affected with reported impairments in private economy and reduced vitality (p < 0.05), and with vitality being lower in female compared to male respondents during, but not before, the lockdown period.Discussion: The reported negative impact of the Covid-19 lockdown period on PTs' working and living conditions are discussed with focus on the reported gender differences and considering the previously reported poor reputation of the fitness industry.

Highlights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes an infectious disease (Covid-19) and has per July 2020 spread to more than 200 countries and infected more than 15 million people (WHO, 2020)
49% reported resuming of the work as personal trainers (PT) before reopening of the fitness centers at June 15th 2020
Based on the findings of our study, there is reason to say that the Covid-19 lockdown has illuminated several issues for the PTs as a profession and for the fitness industry as discussed in Perspectives of the PTs considering the fitness industry’s reputation. This can be viewed as a window of opportunity for discussion and change both internally in the industry, and toward stakeholders and decision makers within public health. We argue that this lockdown period, the experiences and how it was handled, can serve as an opportunity for the fitness industry and the profession of PTs to unite and demand changes

Summary

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes an infectious disease (Covid-19) and has per July 2020 spread to more than 200 countries and infected more than 15 million people (WHO, 2020). The lockdown included among others closing of all fitness centers, organized sports and sports events, and the whole community was advised to keep a social distance of two meters (The Norwegian Directorate of Health, 2020). Such intervening affected those employed within the private and/or civil sector (e.g., freelancers, self-employed persons, parttime staff within culture, sport and fitness), and many suddenly found themselves without jobs. For the occupational group of personal trainers (PT), no specific recommendations concerning return to work and reopening of practice were made besides the opening of fitness facilities

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