Change in health, wellbeing and physical activity levels during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort of parkrun participants in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Summary Lockdown restrictions imposed across the UK in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on many people’s health and wellbeing. People were encouraged to be active, but population surveys suggest some groups found this easier than others. We explored the changes in health, wellbeing and physical activity levels among a sample in the UK who experienced the sudden loss of a weekly community-based physical activity opportunity, parkrun. A sample of UK parkrun participants responded to two surveys: pre-COVID-19 in January/February 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020. Outcomes were happiness, life satisfaction, connections with others, physical health, mental health and physical activity. The sample was stratified by gender, age, deprivation status, physical activity and number of parkruns completed. Demographics were reported using descriptive statistics; distributions between sub-groups were compared using Chi-square tests while differences in outcomes were determined using the Mann–Whitney U test. Open text responses were also analysed. Happiness, life satisfaction, connections with others, physical health and mental health of 450 parkrun participants were negatively impacted for all sub-groups, although the impact was not experienced equally. Physical activity fell by 6% while happiness and life satisfaction fell by 12%. People experienced the worst negative impact on their connections with others. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the wellbeing of a greater proportion of females, younger adults, inactive people, those from higher deprivation areas, and those who had completed fewer parkruns. There is evidence that the wellbeing of those who were more active, and those more involved in a community-based physical activity initiative pre-pandemic, was less negatively affected during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased health inequalities by altering patterns of engagement with a mass participation event after resumption post-lockdown

“…The findings are consistent with previous studies that have identified that COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns reduced levels of physical activity particularly for the young, the less fit and those in most deprived areas [4–9,29]. The current study has identified that these patterns have continued into the post-lockdown period in a mass participation event in Scotland.…”

“…A survey of the behaviour of previous parkrun participants during lockdown found reduced activity levels [29]. Increased inactivity during lockdown was particularly evident in younger adults, people in deprived areas and the least active [29]. Consequently, the changing patterns in activity among parkrun participants during lockdown are consistent with those identified in other studies [4][5][6][7][8] revealing the potential value of using parkrun as a model system.…”

“…The models identify several changes in correlates with participation levels after lockdown which help identify the changing demographics of parkrun attendees. A previous study identified that among parkrun participants from before the pandemic that the activity levels had particularly declined in younger adults, the least active and those in more deprived areas during lockdown [29].The current study reveals the concerning finding that these impacts also extend into the post-lockdown period. Furthermore, additional impacts were identified with a substantial shift in the gender ratio with a higher rate of loss of female participants.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the parkrun results database [18–21] and some studies have identified correlates of participation on a very large scale [22–28]. Few studies though have investigated changes in the demographics of parkrun participants over time [22,29].…”

The Relationships between Psychological Well-Being, Emotions and Coping in COVID-19 Environment: The Gender Aspect for Postgraduate Students

“…The results of this study revealed that female students value their autonomy, personal growth, and purpose in life higher than male students. According to other researchers, the Coronavirus pandemic affected female students more, with an increased level of anxiety being one of the discrete emotions noticed among students during the Coronavirus pandemic, especially among female students, compared to the pre-pandemic period [ 31 , 32 ]. Students who felt high levels of psychological well-being were more likely to choose active coping styles, while those with lower PWB were more likely to choose avoidance-type coping strategies [ 33 ].…”