The Impact Of Covid-19 On Physical Activity Among Chinese College Students

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity (PA) for Chinese university student during the pandemic lockdown period. METHODS: We conducted a on-line questionnaire on 1487 (947males & 513 females; Age 19.7 ± 1.3 yr., Height = 172.2 ± 8.2 cm, Weight = 65.9 ± 15.6 kg, BMI = 21.1 ± 4.5) college students from one university in China during the pandemic period and students retrospectively recalled pre-pandemic PA levels (Mar 29- April 15, 2020). PA was measured using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which has been validated in China to measure physical activity. PA of social isolation in the last week during the COVID-19 pandemic period and before the COVID-19 pandemic were measured based on IPAQ. The data were analyzed using paired-samples t-test. RESULTS: Before the COVID-19, survey participants on averaged engaged in 136.2 (SD =115.6) minutes of vigorous physical activity, 179.5 (SD = 138.1) minutes of moderate physical activity, 284.1 (SD = 205.4) minutes MVPA, walked for 179.1 (SD = 144.6) minutes, respectively. During the COVID-19, survey participants on average engaged in 105.6 (SD =92.7) minutes of vigorous physical activity, 95.1 (SD = 89.2) minutes of moderate physical activity, 143.5 (SD = 126.8) minutes MVPA, walked for 140.1 (SD = 142.5) minutes, respectively. Overall, the COVID-19 discouraged a reduction in weekly total minutes of vigorous physical activity by 40.6 (29.8%↓, SD =112.2), a reduction in weekly total minutes of moderate physical activity by 73.9 (41.1%↓, SD =113.4), a reduction in weekly total minutes of MVPA by 141.3 (49.7%↓, SD =196.6), a reduction in weekly total minutes of walking by 44.6 (24.9↓, SD =176.6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a reduction of physical activity among Chinese college students.