scholarly journals Prospective Analysis of Physical Activity Levels and Associated Fitness Factors Amid COVID-19 Pandemic and Social-distancing Rules. A Special Focus on Adolescents

Author(s):  
Ragab K. Elnaggar ◽  
Bader A. Alqahtani ◽  
Waleed S. Mahmoud ◽  
Mahmoud S. Elfakharany
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo José Puccinelli ◽  
Taline Santos da Costa ◽  
Aldo Seffrin ◽  
Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽  
Rodrigo Luiz Vancini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. Methods A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising. Results The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (3.5 ± 0.8) was lower than that the adopted prior to the pandemic period (2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532110127
Author(s):  
Leanne Tyson ◽  
Wendy Hardeman ◽  
Gareth Stratton ◽  
Andrew M Wilson ◽  
Joanna Semlyen

This study aimed to explore how social distancing and self-isolation measures, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from COVID-19, affected the wellbeing and physical activity levels among adults diagnosed with asthma. Twenty-seven participants took part across four online focus groups. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants reported becoming more health conscious due to being labelled as vulnerable. Their relationship with the severity of their asthma was altered and they reported making positive changes to increase their physical activity levels. Findings suggest there is a window of opportunity to engage with people diagnosed with asthma to promote beneficial lifestyle changes and self-management.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
C.P. Launay ◽  
L. Cooper-Brown ◽  
V. Ivensky ◽  
O. Beauchet

Recently, Aubertin-Leheurdre & Rolland underscored issues and challenges related to the insufficient physical activity levels observed in the frail older population due to social distancing during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (1). Social distancing is an effective intervention to limit the spread of COVID-19 (2). However, for older community dwellers social distancing implies homebound which may lead to a decline in physical activity, increased gait and balance disorders, cardiovascular disease burden and morality risk (1, 3, 4).


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 816-822
Author(s):  
Sathvik Namburar ◽  
William Checkley ◽  
Oscar Flores-Flores ◽  
Karina M. Romero ◽  
Katherine Tomaino Fraser ◽  
...  

Background: The authors sought to examine physical activity patterns among children with and without asthma in 2 peri-urban communities in Lima, Peru, to identify socioeconomic and demographic risk factors for physical inactivity and examine the relationship between asthma and physical activity. Methods: The authors measured mean steps per day in 114 children (49 with asthma and 65 without) using pedometers worn over a 1-week period. They also used the 3-day physical activity recall to determine the most common activities carried out by children. Results: The authors found that 84.2% of the children did not meet the daily international physical activity recommendations. Girls took significantly fewer mean steps per day as compared with boys (2258 fewer steps, 95% confidence interval, 1042–3474), but no other factors, including asthma status, showed significant differences in the mean daily steps. Mean daily steps were positively associated with higher socioeconomic status among girls, and current asthma had a larger inverse effect on daily steps in boys when compared with girls. Conclusion: Physical activity levels were below recommended guidelines in all children. There is a need for policy and neighborhood-level interventions to address low physical activity levels among Peruvian youth. Special focus should be given to increasing the physical activity levels in girls.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Paulo J. Puccinelli ◽  
Taline S. Costa ◽  
Aldo Seffrin ◽  
Claudio A. B. de Lira ◽  
Rodrigo L. Vancini ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: It has been suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired people’s moods and general levels of physical activity, but the way in which each country is coping with the situation may result in different outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare the mental health and physical activity levels between residents of Brazil and Switzerland during the social distancing period associated with COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire aiming to assess personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders data was answered by 114 participants (57 from each country) of both sexes. Results: Swiss participants presented a higher frequency of people (47.4%) not abiding by social distancing measures compared to Brazilian participants (1.8%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.56). There were no significant differences between the participants from the two countries regarding physical activity levels (p = 0.09). The Swiss presented a higher frequency (78.9%) of people without symptoms of depression compared to Brazilians (31.6%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.48). The Swiss also presented a higher frequency (77.2%) of people without symptoms of anxiety compared to Brazilians (35.1%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.43). There was a significant association between the restriction level and depression symptoms (p = 0.01, effect size = 0.25) but not with anxiety symptoms (p = 0.21, effect size = 0.16). Conclusions: According to the preliminary results, Brazilians presented a much higher frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms, which can be explained by characteristics other than the restriction level.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Puccinelli ◽  
Taline da Costa ◽  
Aldo Seffrin ◽  
Claudio de Lira ◽  
Rodrigo Vancini ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity during social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2,140 female and male Brazilians who were recruited through online advertising. RESULTS: Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, considering all the non-communicable diseases and mental diseases associated with physical inactivity, humans are likely to be much more vulnerable during this period of social distancing, including that of combating a possible COVID-19 disease. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Edward Hull ◽  
Dana L. Rofey ◽  
Robert J. Robertson ◽  
Elizabeth F. Nagle ◽  
Amy D. Otto ◽  
...  

Background:Physical activity (PA) tends to decrease from adolescence to young adulthood, and factors that have been proposed to contribute to this decrease are life transitions. The focus of this study is to examine life transitions, such as marriage and parenthood, and the impact they may have on the physical activity levels of young adults.Methods:This 2-year prospective analysis assessed physical activity (hrs/wk) and sociodemo-graphics in young adults (n = 638, 48% male, 15% nonwhite, 24 ± 1.1 years old) via questionnaire. PA data were normalized through log transformations and examined using ANCOVAs, controlling for appropriate covariates.Results:ANCOVA results showed that becoming married did not significantly change PA compared with individuals who stayed single [F(1,338) = 0.38, P = .54, d = 0.06]. Conversely, PA was significantly lower [F(1,517) = 6.7, P = .01, d = 0.41] after having a child, compared with individuals who stayed childless.Conclusions:These results suggest that marriage does not impact PA in young adults, but having a child significantly decreases PA in parents, and may offer an optimal period of intervention.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Rezende ◽  
Ana Jessica Pinto ◽  
Karla Fabiana Goessler ◽  
Carolina Nicoletti ◽  
Sofia Mendes Sieczkowska ◽  
...  

Objectives: To assess physical activity levels in post-bariatric patients who adhered or not to social distancing measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our secondary aim was to compare physical activity estimates between objectively measured and self-reported physical activity level. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we assessed physical activity level using accelerometers and a validated questionnaire in 33 post-bariatric patients who reported to be adherent (n=15) or not (n=18) to social distancing measures. Results: Patients adherent to social distancing measures spent more time in sedentary behavior (1.1 hours/day [95%CI: 0.1, 2.2]; p=0.045) and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (-12.2 min/day [95%CI: -23.8, -0.6]; p=0.040) compared to non-adherent ones. No difference was observed for light-intensity physical activity. Bland-Altman analysis comparing objective and subjective physical activity estimates showed a bias for time spent in sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of 2.8 hours/day and 8.5 min/day, respectively. Conclusion: Post-bariatric patients who were adherent to social distancing measures due to the Covid-19 outbreak were more inactive and sedentary than non-adherent ones. Additionally, questionnaire data widely underestimated sedentary behavior. Strategies to increase or at least sustain physical activity levels in post-bariatric patients exposed to social distancing measures are necessary during the Covid-19 pandemic.


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