Changes in Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic—An Analysis of Differences Based on Mitigation Policies and Incidence Values in the Federal States of Germany

Abstract

Measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have had an impact on the daily life and physical activity (PA) of many people. Nevertheless, in Germany, mitigation policies and incidence values vary widely across the federal states (Länder). Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate regional differences in PA during the coronavirus pandemic. This study is based on the SPOVID project (Examining physical activity and sports behavior in the face of COVID-19 pandemic: a social inequality perspective) that incorporates a large-scale, representative cross-sectional survey representing the German population (≥14 years). Based on the survey that took place in October 2020 (N = 1477), we investigated the relationships between the COVID-19 incidence values as well as the mitigation policies across the federal states in Germany and changes in PA. Pearson correlations indicated a strong negative relationship between PA change and 7-day incidence values (r = −0.688 **, p = 0.009) and a moderate negative relationship between PA changes and an index of mitigation policies (r = −0.444, p = 0.112). Higher 7-day incidence values and stricter mitigation policies were associated with a stronger decline in PA levels. Therefore, it is important to support people to stay active even if there are restrictions. In particular, in federal states and regions with high incidences and stricter mitigation policies, measures to promote health-enhancing PA are necessary.

Exercise frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal probability survey of the US population

“…Finally, this study contributes to the dearth of evidence on the association between COVID-19 containment measures and physical activity levels. Our findings partially supported those from cross-sectional studies in Canada ( de Lannoy et al, 2020 ) and Germany (though not statistically significant) ( Beck et al, 2021 ), and the hypothesis that stringent measures pose a barrier for leisure-time physical activity ( Caputo and Reichert, 2020 , Beck et al, 2021 , de Lannoy et al, 2020 , Tison et al, 2020 , Pépin et al, 2020 ). In addition, our findings extended previous research by concluding that the association between COVID-19 restrictions and exercise may depend on the overall levels of stringency of these restrictions.…”

“…To control the spread of the virus, governments have been enforcing restrictions such as stay-at-home orders, closures of non-essential businesses, limits on public gatherings, and obligatory face masks ( Anderson et al, 2020 , Hale et al, 2020 ). While such restrictions reduce infections ( Koo et al, 2020 ), some likely come with public health costs, such as declining physical activity ( Holmes et al, 2020 , Caputo and Reichert, 2020 , Beck et al, 2021 , de Lannoy et al, 2020 ). For example, two international studies and one Chinese study based on convenience samples and smartphone accelerometers respectively wrist-worn activity trackers reported decreases in daily step counts of 25% to 54% at the start of the pandemic ( Tison et al, 2020 , Pépin et al, 2020 , Ding et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Hence, it remains unclear how activity levels have changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, apart from one cross-sectional study in Germany ( Beck et al, 2021 ), no studies used probability-based sampling, limiting the generalizability of the existing evidence. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first longitudinal and population representative study on the effects of COVID-19 mitigation measures on leisure-time physical activity (a.k.a., exercise).…”

“…Finally, although lockdown measures differ dramatically around the world and across different states in the US and over time ( Hale et al, 2020 ), which would likely affect physical activity differently ( López-Bueno et al, 2020 , Stables, 2020 ), we are only aware of two cross-sectional studies that have examined the association between the stringency of COVID-19 containment measures and activity levels. One study found a non-significant negative relationship between the stringency of mitigation policies in the different states of Germany and activity levels in people aged 14 and above ( Beck et al, 2021 ). Another study found that children and adolescents in Canadian provinces with the strictest mitigation policies had the largest declines in time spent outdoors and outdoor play ( de Lannoy et al, 2020 ).…”

Is there a dose-response relationship? Investigating the functional form between COVID-19 incidence rates and life satisfaction in a multilevel framework

“…Some further studies compare high-incidence regions to low-incidence regions, yet have only a few regions included and are therefore quite coarse or only investigate linear trends (Liu et al, 2020 ; Qiu et al, 2020 ). One study from Germany compares incidence rates of the 16 federal states, yet only looks into linear trends for the outcome of physical activity (Beck et al, 2021 ). To our knowledge, there is no comprehensive study available that analyzes the functional form between COVID-19 incidences and some measurement of satisfaction (also happiness, psychological distress or well-being) in a detailed fashion.…”