Perceived physical activity during stay-at-home COVID-19 pandemic lockdown March–April 2020 in Polish adults

Abstract

Background Lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced the possibility of undertaking physical activity (PA) in gyms, swimming pools, or work-related PA, e.g., active commuting. However, the stay-at-home order could have reduced PA the most, i.e., the ban of unnecessary outdoor activities. It affected free walking, running, skiing, active tourism, etc. It is, therefore, crucial to estimate how the stay-at-home order affected PA. We estimated how the stay-at-home order affected perceived PA and sedentary behavior compared to the pre-pandemic time in Poland. Methods We used a self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Long Form (IPAQ-LF) to estimate the time (minutes per day) of vigorous and moderate PA and walking and sitting time. Results We gathered data from 320 Polish participants. Bayesian approaches, including t-test and Bayesian correlations, were used to find differences and correlations between PA before and during the stay-at-home lockdown. Our data supported the hypotheses that vigorous PA, as well as walking, declined during the lockdown. Surprisingly, our data did not support the hypothesis that moderate physical activity was reduced. We found that moderate PA during lockdown increased compared to the pre-lockdown PA. As hypothesized, our data strongly evinced that sitting time inclined during the lockdown. PA decline was not correlated with the available living space. People who had access to gardens did not demonstrate a higher PA level than those without. Discussion Walking and sitting time have drastically changed during the stay-at-home lockdown, decreasing and increasing, respectively. Given results from studies focusing on lockdowns without the stay-at-home restriction, it may be assumed that letting people go outside is crucial in keeping them more active and less sedentary. Authorities should take into account the effect the stay-at-home order may have on PA and sedentary behavior and as a result, on health. Stay-at-home orders should be the last considered restriction, given its detrimental consequences.

Is It Important to Increase Physical Activity Among University Students During the Second-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic in Asian Countries? A Cross-Sectional Study of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Asian Countries

“…Research during the COVID-19 pandemic provides information about the reduced physical activity in children and adults. 4 , 18–20 The results also show the importance of supporting physical activity for children outside, especially in schools, sports venues, and public sports places used by the surrounding community. 4 This requires an understanding of students’ knowledge, attitudes, and actions.…”

“… 4 , 14 , 15 Many sports locations are closed, and the physical activities available are walking and sitting. 4 , 15–17 Previous research in many countries such as Italy, United States of America, and Saudi Arabia have stated that staying at home causes low physical activity and laziness to become more common, especially among students. 15 , 18 , 19 Sports activities are increasing but not as physical activity; sports are developing in the form of e-sports.…”

“… 21 , 22 The results of previous studies have shown that lockdowns and quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a lack of physical activity and a consequent decline in mental health. 4 Lack of knowledge, high negative attitudes, and lack of action in increasing physical activity cause the risk of noncommunicable diseases in the future to increase, such as obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. 4 These diseases must be avoided.…”

“… 4 Lack of knowledge, high negative attitudes, and lack of action in increasing physical activity cause the risk of noncommunicable diseases in the future to increase, such as obesity, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. 4 These diseases must be avoided.…”

Home-Based High-Intensity Interval Exercise Improves the Postprandial Glucose Response in Young Adults with Postprandial Hyperglycemia

“…However, these exercises take a long time or require a specific location, and they do not solve the problem of “lack of time,” which is one of the factors that inhibit exercise [ 12 ]. In addition, the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome–associated coronavirus 2 virus at the end of 2019 affected daily life worldwide, especially regarding physical activity, with reports of decreased physical activity in various countries compared with pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic levels [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to have no effect on glycated hemoglobin in diabetic patients, there is a relationship between decreased physical activity and increased glycated hemoglobin caused by telecommuting [ 16 ].…”