The Paws Project: The Impact Of Social Distancing On Physical Activity During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Objective: Loneliness and physical activity are important targets for research into the impact of COVID-19 because they have established links with mental health, could be exacerbated by social distancing policies and are potentially modifiable. In this study we aimed to identify whether loneliness and physical activity were associated with worse mental health during a period of mandatory social distancing in the UK. Design: Population-based observation cohort study. Setting: Mental health data collected online during COVID-19 from an existing sample of adults aged 50 and over taking part in a longitudinal study of ageing. All had comparable annual data collected between 2015 and 2019. Participants: 3,281 participants aged 50 and over. Measurements: Trajectories of depression (measured by PHQ-9) and anxiety (measured by GAD-7) between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed with respect to loneliness, physical activity levels and a number of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics using zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Results: In 2020, PHQ-9 score for loneliness, adjusted for covariates, was 3.23 (95% CI: 3.01-3.44), an increase of around one point on all previous years in this group and 2 points higher than people not rated lonely, whose score did not change in 2020 (1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.32). PHQ-9 was 2.60, 95% CI: 2.43-2.78 in people with decreased physical activity, an increase of 0.5 on previous years. In contrast, PHQ-9 in 2020 for people whose physical activity had not decreased was 1.66, 95% CI: 1.56-1.75, similar to previous years. A similar relationship was observed for GAD-7 though the absolute burden of symptoms lower. Conclusion: After accounting for pre-COVID-19 trends, we show that experiencing loneliness and decreased physical activity are risk factors for worsening mental health during the pandemic. Our findings highlight the need to examine policies which target these potentially modifiable risk factors.

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Levels and Changes of Physical Activity in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Contextualizing Urban vs. Rural Living Environment

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10113997 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3997 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Natasa Zenic ◽

Redha Taiar ◽

Barbara Gilic ◽

Mateo Blazevic ◽

Dora Maric ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Adolescents ◽

Living Environment ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Rural Living ◽

Urban Rural ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing implemented shortly after influence physical activity levels (PALs). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the changes in PAL and factors associated with PALs among Croatian adolescents while considering the impact of community (urban vs. rural living environment). The sample included 823 adolescents (mean age: 16.5 ± 2.1 years) who were tested on baseline (from October 2019 to March 2020; before COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia) and follow-up (in April 2020; during the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed rules of social distancing). Baseline testing included anthropometrics, physical fitness status, and evaluation of PALs, while follow-up included only PALs (evaluated by a standardized questionnaire through an internet application). The results showed a significant influence of the living environment on the decrease of PAL, with a larger decrease in urban adolescents. Logistic regression showed a higher likelihood for normal PALs at baseline in adolescents who had better fitness status, with no strong confounding effect of the urban/rural environment. The fitness status of urban adolescents predicted their PALs at follow-up. The differences between urban and rural adolescents with regard to the established changes in PALs and relationships between the predictors and PALs are explained by the characteristics of the living communities (lack of organized sports in rural areas), and the level of social distancing in the studied period and region/country.

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How to be physically active while social distancing? You need to exercise!

Revista de Educação Física / Journal of Physical Education ◽

10.37310/ref.v90i2.2766 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 90 (2) ◽

pp. 157-162

Author(s):

Leonardo Gomes de Oliveira Luz ◽

Marcos de Sá Rego Fortes ◽

Geraldo de Albuquerque Maranhão Neto

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Activity Level ◽

World Health ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Physically Active ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Insufficient Physical Activity ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Introduction: A coronavirus epidemic began in November 2019 (COVID-19) in the Chinese city of Wuhan. However, the current scenario shows the coexistence of other pandemics, the insufficient physical activity level and obesity, the effect of this combination tends to enhance the complications attributed to coronavirus infection. In this scenario, among other strategies to combat COVID-19, social distancing, and active lifestyle compatible with a healthy immune function are recommended. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic over the populational habitual physical activity and recommend the inclusion of a physical exercise routine in your daily life. Conclusion: Moderate physical activity is indicated in order to meet the recent recommendations of the World Health Organization and to optimize the immune response. Therefore, the daily physical exercise should be included, especially at home in longer periods of social distancing.

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Impact of Social Distancing Associated with The COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Levels and Associations With Mood State: An Internet-Based Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-113847/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Paulo Puccinelli ◽

Taline da Costa ◽

Aldo Seffrin ◽

Claudio de Lira ◽

Rodrigo Vancini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Family Income ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Mood State ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Impact

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).

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Physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde ◽

10.12820/rbafs.25e0177 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Daniela Lopes dos Santos ◽

Cati Reckelberg Azambuja

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Education Students ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Physical Education Students ◽

Characterization Study ◽

The Social ◽

Sample Characterization ◽

Convenience Sampling ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the study routine and physical activity of Physical Education students. The study included, by convenience sampling, 721 undergraduate Physical Education students from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. For data collection, a questionnaire containing questions about sample characterization, study routine and characteristics of physical activity before and during social distancing/isolation was used. This instrument was made available by Google Forms, between April 13th and May 31st of 2020. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that 35% of the students had their studies completely interrupted and 27.9% of them reported an increase in their load of study routine activities. The time spent on television went from one to two hours a day (47.7%) to up to four hours (63.7%), with women having greater screen time for television (> 3h / day; p = 0.027) during the pandemic period. There was an increase from 3.1% to 18.7% of students who were not practicing any physical activity. Those who remained active decreased the number of days of weekly practice and the average time per session (p < 0.001). Thus, it is necessary to think about strategies to increase and maintain the levels of physical activity, as means of protection and reduction of health damages, caused by the infection of the new coronavirus and by the social distancing/isolation imposed to reduce the transmission of the virus.

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Is Exercise the Best Medicine during a COVID-19 Pandemic? Comment on Constandt, B.; Thibaut, E.; De Bosscher, V.; Scheerder, J.; Ricour, M.; Willem, A. Exercising in Times of Lockdown: An Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on Levels and Patterns of Exercise among Adults in Belgium. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 4144

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165730 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5730

Author(s):

Tamara Hew-Butler ◽

Valerie Smith-Hale ◽

Matthew Van Sumeren ◽

Jordan Sabourin ◽

Phillip Levy

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Health ◽

Regular Physical Activity ◽

Intense Exercise ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Highly Active ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental And Physical Health

From Constandt et al.’s survey of 13,515 Belgium respondents, regular physical activity can be successfully initiated and sustained during a lockdown, with appropriate social distancing measures. Documentation that 77% of highly active people and 58% of low active people exercised as much or more following the institution of a nationwide lockdown was impressive, given that the cases of COVID-19 were accelerating at that time. The Belgian government’s central promotion of exercise, to boost both the mental and physical health of the population, likely contributed to the health, tolerance, and ultimate success of lockdown. In this commentary, we wish to pose a follow-up query which highlights the potential detrimental effects of intense exercise (competition) performed without social distancing measures. The proposed graphical abstract elucidates these possible risks, in contrast to the favorable results outlined in Constandt et al.’s study.

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Physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey with adults in Northern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde ◽

10.12820/rbafs.25e0151 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Marcelo Marques ◽

Rodrigo Gheller ◽

Nayana Henrique ◽

Enaiane Cristina Menezes ◽

Inês Streit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Physically Active ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Before And After ◽

Northern Brazil ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

Amazonas State ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the social distancing recommendations during COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity behavior in adults living in region of Northern Brazil. A final sample of 654 adults (386 women) aged 33 ± 10 years old participated in this study. A questionnaire with 45 questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics, self-perception of health and characteristics of physical activity behavior before and after the recommendations of social distancing was applied in an online format. Comparisons between levels of physical activity before and after pandemic were conducted applying a McNemar test. A binary logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors associated to being physically active during the pandemic. Analyzing the percentage levels of physical activity before and during social distancing, we observed an increase of physically inactive behavior (19% vs. 36.7%), as well as a decrease in active (32.6% vs. 18.6%) and very active (16.7% vs. 6.6%) behaviors, respectively. Among participants, 59.2% of them became sedentary during pandemic. Walking and running activities continued to be among the most practiced, although they showed a reduction during social distancing. Social distancing recommendations due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused decrease in the overall levels of physical activity in adults living in the Amazonas State and specifically in the practice of individuals who were physically active and very physically active before pandemic.

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The impact of physical activity on estimated bone stiffness as assessed by multisite quantitative ultrasound: the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis study

Bone Abstracts ◽

10.1530/boneabs.3.pp231 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Jacques Brown ◽

Jonathan Adachi ◽

David Hanley ◽

Kenneth Davison ◽

Wojciech Olszynski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Quantitative Ultrasound ◽

Bone Stiffness ◽

The Impact

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Forms of physical activity of the elderly

European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine ◽

10.15584/ejcem.2020.3.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 221-228

Author(s):

Piotr Czarnecki ◽

◽

Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz ◽

Lidia Perenc ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Elderly People ◽

Population Aging ◽

Human Life ◽

Good Health ◽

The Elderly ◽

Polish Society ◽

Central Statistical ◽

Key Phrases ◽

The Impact

Introduction. Physical activity is known to be an important factor influencing health throughout human life. This issue has become crucial for public health due to the aging of the population in both developed and developing countries. Aim. is to present a literature review on the forms of physical activity undertaken by the elderly, as well as on issues related to physical activity and the population aging. Material and methods. The study was prepared on the basis of a review of Polish and foreign literature. The following databases and data sources were used: EBSCO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. An additional source of data were the websites of the Central Statistical Office. Strictly defined key phrases were used during the collection of literature. The work has been divided into thematic subsections on the aging of the society, the impact of physical activity on health and the main topic, i.e. forms of physical activity selected by the elderly. Analysis of the literature. The number of elderly people in Polish society has increased by almost 3.7 million over three decades. Therefore, an important topic is prophylaxis aimed at increasing the number of days in good health, largely covering the broadly understood activation of the elderly. The available data indicate that only 12% of elderly people undertake physical activity once a week. The most common form of spending free time actively is walking (as many as 73% of people in this population declare this form of physical activity in one of the presented studies). Conclusion. Organized forms of physical activity are undertaken much less frequently by the analyzed age group mainly due to financial limitations and limited availability of sports infrastructure.

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An influence of social isolation on the level of physical activity as well as on well-being and mental state of people during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Polish Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2478/pjph-2019-0029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 129 (4) ◽

pp. 127-131

Author(s):

Agnieszka Parfin ◽

Krystian Wdowiak ◽

Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽

Jolanta Herda

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Population Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Sample ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Impact

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.

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