Physical activity and sitting time changes in response to the COVID-19 lockdown in England

Abstract

To reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), national governments implemented measures to limit contact between citizens. This study evaluated changes in physical activity and sitting in response to the first COVID-19 lockdown in England and factors associated with these changes. A cross-sectional online survey-based study collected data from 818 adults between 29 April and 13 May 2020. Participants self-reported demographic information, physical activity and sitting for a ‘typical’ week before and during lockdown. Participants were grouped into low, moderate and high physical activity, and low and high (≥8 hours/day) sitting. Paired samples t-tests compared physical activity (MET-min/week) before and during lockdown. Pearson’s Chi-squared evaluated the proportion of participants in the physical activity and sitting categories. Logistic regression explored associations of demographic and behavioural factors with physical activity and sitting during lockdown. Walking and total physical activity significantly increased during lockdown by 241 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 176, 304) MET-min/week and 302 (CI: 155, 457) MET-min/week, respectively (P < 0.001). There was a 4% decrease in participants engaging in low physical activity and a 4% increase in those engaging in high physical activity from before to during lockdown (P < 0.001). The proportion engaging in high sitting increased from 29% to 41% during lockdown (P < 0.001). Lower education level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, P = 0.045) and higher BMI (OR = 1.05, P = 0.020) were associated with increased odds of low physical activity during lockdown, whereas non-White ethnicity (OR = 0.24, P = 0.001) was associated with reduced odds. Younger age was associated with increased odds of high sitting (OR = 2.28, P = 0.008). These findings suggest that physical activity and sitting both increased during lockdown. Demographic and behavioural factors associated with low physical activity and high sitting have been identified that could inform intervention strategies during situations of home confinement.

Evaluating the Use of Web-Based Technologies for Self-Management among Arabic-Speaking Immigrants Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

“…This difference may be because of different online habits among the participants or might be a reflection of the general population, which includes more younger people. This trend is substantiated by reports showing that younger individuals exhibit a higher preference for online activities and spend more time engaged in them compared to older age groups [35,36].…”

Physical activity as a tool for preventing and treating depression: Lessons learned from the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…In contrast to the general trend of a decline in PA at the beginning of the pandemic, a secondary analysis of data from a multinational study of 18 countries found that levels of exercise in fact remained similar, but that more people had switched from playing sports to endurance type activities such as running (Benzing et al, 2021). Moreover, two cross‐sectional studies carried out in the United Kingdom (Bailey et al, 2022) and Spain (Romero‐Blanco et al, 2020) found an increase in the total duration of PA early in the pandemic between April and May 2020. In the UK study, the increase in the total amount of weekly PA was largely explained by an increase in walking, which accounted for 241 MET minutes/week out of a total increase of 302 MET minutes/week (Bailey et al, 2022) (for a more comprehensive definition of the MET minutes/week measure, please see Information Box 2).…”

“…Moreover, two cross‐sectional studies carried out in the United Kingdom (Bailey et al, 2022) and Spain (Romero‐Blanco et al, 2020) found an increase in the total duration of PA early in the pandemic between April and May 2020. In the UK study, the increase in the total amount of weekly PA was largely explained by an increase in walking, which accounted for 241 MET minutes/week out of a total increase of 302 MET minutes/week (Bailey et al, 2022) (for a more comprehensive definition of the MET minutes/week measure, please see Information Box 2). While the results here are in line with research that has documented an increase in walking for leisure during the pandemic (Brown & Marsden, 2022; Kass et al, 2021), it is important to note that other studies may not have captured a similar increase because walking is not always included in PA assessments (Shephard, 2003; Troiano et al, 2020).…”

“…Highly physically active and highly educated individuals are overrepresented across the research reviewed, whilst ethnic minorities, individuals with lower education levels, and lower household income are underrepresented (Bailey et al, 2022;Faulkner et al, 2021).…”

Maintaining psychological well-being amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: The beneficial effects of health-promoting behaviors and sense of control

“…For instance, using a national activity tracking app, Di Sebastiano et al (2020) found significant and substantial declines in incidental physical activity (e.g., walking to the workplace) and walking steps among young and middle-aged Canadian adults after the introduction of social distancing measures and closure of leisure facilities. With an increased trend of sedentary behaviors (e.g., sitting, reclining, using mobile devices, or playing video games) and hectic lifestyle resulting from prolonged homestay, many countries have encouraged their citizens to perform more health-promoting behaviors to maintain their physical health (e.g., Bailey et al, 2022;Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2022;Department of Health, 2021).…”