Moderators of Change in Physical Activity Levels during Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Young Urban Adults

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate moderators of change in physical activity (PA) levels after 30 days (30-d) of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults. This research is an extension of the CRO-PALS study and analyses for this study were performed on young adults (20–21 y.o., n = 91). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sport participation, student and socioeconomic status were assessed pre- and post-30-d restrictions. Differences in MVPA levels were examined using repeated-measures ANOVAs. After 30-d of restrictions, the drop in MVPA in females (−64.8 min/day, p = 0.006) and males was shown (−57.7 min/day, p < 0.00). However, active participants decreased, while non-active peers increased their MVPA level (−100.7 min/day, p < 0.00, and +48.9 min/day, p = 0.051, respectively). Moreover, students and non-students decreased their MVPA level (−69.0 min/day, p < 0.00, and −35.0 min/day, p = 0.22, respectively) as well as sport participants and non-sport participants (−95.3 min/day, p < 0.001, and −53.9 min/day, p < 0.00, respectively). Our results suggest that 30-d of restrictions equally affect females and males where the evident drop in MVPA is seen in both genders. However, active people decreased their PA level during lockdown and the opposite pattern was seen in non-active peers, where restrictions for them can represent an opportunity to change their behavior in a positive direction in order to gain better health status.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students' Physical Activity Levels: An Early Systematic Review

“…One thousand one hundred thirty-seven references were identified after search process in four databases, of which 10 (Ács et al, 2020 ; Barkley et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ; Gallo et al, 2020 ; Karuc et al, 2020 ; Maher et al, 2020 ; Romero-Blanco et al, 2020 ; Sañudo et al, 2020 ; Savage et al, 2020 ; Alarcón Meza and Hall-López, 2021 ) met the inclusion criteria. Figure 1 shows the flow chart of the selection process of the studies.…”

“…On the other hand, Sañudo et al ( 2020 ) showed an objective reduction in PA with 67.7% fewer steps per day during the lockdown. In the same line, five studies showed a reduction of light/mild PA (walking) between 32.5 and 365.5% compared to the period prior to confinement (Ács et al, 2020 ; Barkley et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ; Gallo et al, 2020 ; Sañudo et al, 2020 ), three studies found a decrease in moderate PA levels (from 14–59.7%) (Barkley et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ; Sañudo et al, 2020 ) and four studies in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (from 3.9–56.6%) (Karuc et al, 2020 ; Maher et al, 2020 ; Sañudo et al, 2020 ; Savage et al, 2020 ). Finally, seven studies also revealed a reduction of high/vigorous PA between 2.9 and 52.8% compared to pre-lockdown (Ács et al, 2020 ; Barkley et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ; Gallo et al, 2020 ; Romero-Blanco et al, 2020 ; Sañudo et al, 2020 ; Alarcón Meza and Hall-López, 2021 ) and two studies showed a decrease of total PA (28.6 and 50%) (Ács et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Finally, seven studies also revealed a reduction of high/vigorous PA between 2.9 and 52.8% compared to pre-lockdown (Ács et al, 2020 ; Barkley et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ; Gallo et al, 2020 ; Romero-Blanco et al, 2020 ; Sañudo et al, 2020 ; Alarcón Meza and Hall-López, 2021 ) and two studies showed a decrease of total PA (28.6 and 50%) (Ács et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ). Regarding gender differences, two studies found a higher reduction of walking, vigorous and MVPA in males (Gallo et al, 2020 ; Savage et al, 2020 ), while only one study showed a higher reduction in females (Karuc et al, 2020 ). Otherwise, Romero-Blanco et al ( 2020 ) found that women had performed more PA (min/week) than male during lockdown.…”

Is Adiposity Associated with the Quality of Movement Patterns in the Mid-Adolescent Period?

“…This study is a part of the CRO-PALS study, a longitudinal study conducted in a random sample of urban youth in Zagreb (Croatia). Details on the sampling and procedures of the study have been described elsewhere [43]. In brief, using stratified two-stage random sampling procedures (school level and class level), 54 classes in 14 secondary schools were selected to participate in the CRO-PALS study (schools were stratified by type: grammar schools/vocational schools/private schools).…”

Does Sex Dimorphism Exist in Dysfunctional Movement Patterns During the Sensitive Period of Adolescence?

“…This study was performed during the 2 nd wave of assessments, and all measurements were taken in 2015, during March, April, and May. Information about the procedures of the CRO-PALS longitudinal study have been documented in previous research [27]. In brief, using stratified two-stage random sampling procedures (school level and class level), 54 classes in 14 secondary schools were selected to participate in the CRO-PALS study (schools were stratified by type: grammar schools/vocational schools/private schools).…”