Physical Fitness and Exercise During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Enquiry

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this fast-moving world to a standstill. The impact of this pandemic is massive, and the only strategy to curb the rapid spread of the disease is to follow social distancing. The imposed lockdown, resulting in the closure of business activities, public places, fitness and activity centers, and overall social life, has hampered many aspects of the lives of people including routine fitness activities of fitness freaks, which has resulted in various psychological issues and serious fitness and health concerns. In the present paper, the authors aimed at understanding the unique experiences of fitness freaks during the period of lockdown due to COVID-19. The paper also intended to explore the ways in which alternate exercises and fitness activities at home helped them deal with psychological issues and physical health consequences. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 22 adults who were regularly working out in the gym before the COVID-19 pandemic but stayed at home during the nationwide lockdown. The analysis revealed that during the initial phase of lockdown, the participants had a negative situational perception and a lack of motivation for fitness exercise. They also showed psychological health concerns and overdependence on social media in spending their free time. However, there was a gradual increase in positive self-perception and motivation to overcome their dependence on gym and fitness equipment and to continue fitness exercises at home. Participants also tended to play music as a tool while working out. The regular fitness workout at home during the lockdown greatly helped them to overcome psychological issues and fitness concerns.

Impacts on Children and Adolescents’ Lifestyle, Social Support and Their Association with Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The better physical and mental health awareness and social support were in line with the local and worldwide intensive media coverage promoting precautionary measures and harmonious atmosphere [ 38 ]. The only aspect of unfavorable change documented in the current study was that more respondents reported decreasing the time spent on exercise than those reporting increased time for exercise, which is consistent with the findings among the general population worldwide [ 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Changes in Physical Activity Pre-, During and Post-lockdown COVID-19 Restrictions in New Zealand and the Explanatory Role of Daily Hassles

“…For example, gyms were closed, sport was canceled and people were confined to exercising close to home, which restricted people from long distance cycling or running. Not being able to do their preferred PA was reported by 45% respondents in our study when they were asked to explain why PA behavior had decreased (data available on request) and has been reported in other research with highly active individuals (e.g., Constandt et al, 2020 ; Kaur et al, 2020 ). Additionally, interviews with gym-goers in India, found the closure of gyms and parks resulted in a lack of “fitness motivation” and a need to find alternatives to their usual exercise routines (Kaur et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Not being able to do their preferred PA was reported by 45% respondents in our study when they were asked to explain why PA behavior had decreased (data available on request) and has been reported in other research with highly active individuals (e.g., Constandt et al, 2020 ; Kaur et al, 2020 ). Additionally, interviews with gym-goers in India, found the closure of gyms and parks resulted in a lack of “fitness motivation” and a need to find alternatives to their usual exercise routines (Kaur et al, 2020 ). The fact that PA levels of highly active individuals did not revert back to “normal” levels post-lockdown (even though exercise facilities were open and sport had resumed) could be attributed to the formation of new exercise habits during lockdown (Gardner and Rebar, 2019 ).…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour: A Qualitative Study in a Canadian City

“…Shifts towards alternative forms of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic might be necessary for adults to maintain benefits of their regular routines [6,25]. Life events such as marriage, pregnancy, and retirement are known to impact physical activity routines.…”

“…The Alberta Government (Canada) declared a state of public health emergency on 15 March 2020 and implemented a 3-month closure of sport programs, fitness centers and recreation facilities [5]. These restrictive measures may have negatively impacted physical activity levels [6].…”