Impact of COVID-19 confinement on the time and intensity of physical activity in the Spanish population

Abstract

Background The lockdown and social distancing caused by COVID-19 may influence common healthy behaviour. Due to the unprecedent worldwide confinement in which Spain has been one of the most affected with severe rules governing confinement, physical activity and sedentarism may change due to prolonged stays at home. The aim of this study is to evaluate how physical activity and sedentary time have changed during confinement in the Spanish population. Methods 3800 healthy adults (age ≥ 18 - ≤64 years) residing in Spain were asked during confinement. Sociodemographic data and self-reported physical activity data were collected twice by an International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short (IPAQ-S) between 23rd March and 1st April, and the analysis was carried out considering the achievement of general physical activity recommendations, different age ranges and baseline physical activity levels. Results Physical activity decreased significantly during confinement in all population. Vigorous activities and walking time decreased by 16.8% (p-value > 0.001) and 58.2% (p-value > 0.001) respectively, whereas sedentary time increased by 23.8% (p-value > 0.001). The fulfilment of 75 min/week of vigorous activity recommendation decreased by 10.7% (p-value < 0.001) while the amount of people who reached to 150 min/week of moderate activity barely changed (1.4%, (p-value 0.117)). The group that performed more vigorous physical activities before confinement showed the greatest decrease (30.5%, p-value > 0.001). Men reduced more the time in vigorous activity than women (21% vs 9%, respectively) who even increased time in moderate physical activity by 11% (p-value < 0.05) and showed less increase in sitting time than men (35% vs 25.3%, respectively). Young people and students showed the highest decrease in all physical activities. Conclusions The Spanish adult population, especially young people, students and very active men, decreased daily physical activity and increased sedentary time during COVID-19 confinement.

Physical Sports Activities and Exercise Addiction during Lockdown in the Spanish Population

“…These results coincided with those obtained by Castañeda-Babarro et al [ 54 ], who found that PA decreased significantly during lockdown in the entire Spanish population. These authors observed that vigorous PA and walking time decreased by 16.8% and 58.2%, respectively, while sedentarism increased by 23.8%, with these decreases being greater in males than females.…”

Home confinement during COVID-19 pandemic reduced physical activity but not health-related quality of life in previously active older women

“…In addition, the previous cross-sectional studies showed reductions in substantial reductions in moderate-intensity physical activity 4,13 , which did not change in the present study. Although differences in age of the population and in study design may not be discharged as reasons for the lower physical activity reduction in the present than previous studies 4,13 , the fact that participants of present study were physically active and participated in an educational program to promote healthy behaviors prior to pandemic should be considered. Educational programs promoting healthy behaviors has shown to be effective in improving physical activity 15,16 .…”

Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue and Social Relationships Influenced Physical Activity in Frail Older Community-Dwellers during the Spanish Lockdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…During the first months of the outbreak, Spain adopted a strict home lockdown motivated by the pandemic’s severe impact [ 37 ]. Previous studies from Italy and Japan also reported a decrease in PA [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 38 ]; or a rising prevalence of inactive older persons [ 18 , 19 ]. Despite the similarities in the mobility restriction measures among the three countries, the study populations are different: the Italian study used a cohort that underwent the implantation of a cardio meter-defibrillator before the pandemic [ 14 , 18 ] whereas the one enrolled by Suzuki et al [ 18 ] was discharged from a rehabilitation setting; both samples were significantly younger than ours.…”

“…PA has been previously described as a risk factor for frailty [ 8 , 9 , 10 ] and a key component of interventions to prevent or reduce the development and progression of frailty [ 3 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. It has been estimated that the preventive measures applied during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 25% reduction of PA in the general population [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], and more than 45% in older adults [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 ]. Despite these data, the possible determinants of this reduction in PA levels have not been explored yet.…”