Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Behavior Across Domains and Settings

Background: COVID-19 restrictions and alterations to daily living (e.g. working from home, caregiving responsibilities) necessitated changes in physical activity (PA) behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand how PA within specific domains and behavior settings changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An e-survey, conducted April-June 2020, examined changes in PA across domains and settings in a national sample of adults (N=805; M age=38.7 ± 14.9 yrs; 78.0% female). Results: Respondents reported domain-specific increases in household and recreational PA, but decreases in active transportation, occupational PA, and public transportation use. Weekly minutes of PA changed significantly across all behavior settings, with reported increases in home-based, neighborhood, parks/trails, and total PA, and decreases in PA through recreational sports and fitness facilities. Total weekly PA minutes increased by 10.6% (Z= 4.428, p < .000). Those with caregiving responsibilities reported increases in household PA (2=9.82, p=0.007) and PA frequency (2=8.21, p=0.02). Those without caregiving responsibilities were more likely to report increases in sitting (2=20.55, p<0.001). Those working from home reported a larger increase in neighborhood PA (F(1,638)=4.93, p=.027). Those working at a jobsite that also had caregiving responsibilities reported less weekly PA, while those working from home with caregiving responsibilities reported greater weekly PA (F(1, 646) = 4.23, p = .04).

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The Role of Body-Related Self-Conscious Emotions in Motivating Women’s Physical Activity

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.32.4.417 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 417-437 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Catherine M. Sabiston ◽

Jennifer Brunet ◽

Kent C. Kowalski ◽

Philip M. Wilson ◽

Diane E. Mack ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Structural Model ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Adult Women ◽

Shame And Guilt ◽

Intrinsic Regulation ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

And Behavior

The purpose of this study was to test a model where body-related self-conscious emotions of shame, guilt, and pride were associated with physical activity regulations and behavior. Adult women (N = 389; M age = 29.82, SD = 15.20 years) completed a questionnaire assessing body-related pride, shame, and guilt, motivational regulations, and leisure-time physical activity. The hypothesized measurement and structural models were deemed adequate, as was a revised model examining shame-free guilt and guilt-free shame. In the revised structural model, body-related pride was positively significantly related to identified and intrinsic regulations. Body-related shame-free guilt was significantly associated with external, introjected, and identified regulations. Body-related guilt-free shame was significantly positively related to external and introjected regulation, and negatively associated with intrinsic regulation. Identified and intrinsic regulations were significantly positively related to physical activity (R2 = .62). These findings highlight the importance of targeting and understanding the realm of body-related self-conscious emotions and the associated links to regulations and physical activity behavior.

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Electronic Health Physical Activity Behavior Change Intervention to Self-Manage Cardiovascular Disease: Qualitative Exploration of Patient and Health Professional Requirements (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9181 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Deirdre MJ Walsh ◽

Kieran Moran ◽

Véronique Cornelissen ◽

Roselien Buys ◽

Nils Cornelis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Premature Death ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Physical Factors ◽

Rehabilitation Programs ◽

Home Based ◽

Key Stakeholders

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of premature death worldwide. International guidelines recommend routine delivery of all phases of cardiac rehabilitation. Uptake of traditional cardiac rehabilitation remains suboptimal, as attendance at formal hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs is low, with community-based cardiac rehabilitation rates and individual long-term exercise maintenance even lower. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs have been shown to be equally effective in clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes and yet are not readily available. OBJECTIVE Given the potential that home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs have, it is important to explore how to appropriately design any such intervention in conjunction with key stakeholders. The aim of this study was to engage with individuals with cardiovascular disease and other professionals within the health ecosystem to (1) understand the personal, social, and physical factors that inhibit or promote their capacity to engage with physical activity and (2) explore their technology competencies, needs, and wants in relation to an eHealth intervention. METHODS Fifty-four semistructured interviews were conducted across two countries. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Barriers to the implementation of PATHway were also explored specifically in relation to physical capability and safety as well as technology readiness and further mapped onto the COM-B model for future intervention design. RESULTS Key recommendations included collection of patient data and use of measurements, harnessing hospital based social connections, and advice to utilize a patient-centered approach with personalization and tailoring to facilitate optimal engagement. CONCLUSIONS In summary, a multifaceted, personalizable intervention with an inclusively designed interface was deemed desirable for use among cardiovascular disease patients both by end users and key stakeholders. In-depth understanding of core needs of the population can aid intervention development and acceptability.

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Using a Mobile Phone App to Analyze the Relationship Between Planned and Performed Physical Activity in University Students: Observational Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/17581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. e17581

Author(s):

Matthew T Stewart ◽

Taylor Nezich ◽

Joyce M Lee ◽

Rebecca E Hasson ◽

Natalie Colabianchi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Real Time ◽

Time Use ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Physically Active ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

And Behavior ◽

The Relationship

Background The relationship between intention and behavior has been well researched, but most studies fail to capture dynamic, time-varying contextual factors. Ecological momentary assessment through mobile phone technology is an innovative method for collecting data in real time, including time-use data. However, only a limited number of studies have examined day-level plans to be physically active and subsequent physical activity behavior using real-time time-use data to better understand this relationship. Objective This study aims to examine whether plans to be physically active (recorded in advance on an electronic calendar) were associated with objectively assessed physical activity (accelerometry), to identify activities that replaced planned periods of physical activity by using the mobile app Life in a Day (LIAD), and to test the feasibility and acceptability of LIAD for collecting real-time time-use data. Methods The study included 48 university students who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 protocols, which were defined by 1, 3, or 5 days of data collection. Participants were asked to record their planned activities on a Google Calendar and were provided with mobile phones with LIAD to complete time-use entries in real time for a set of categories (eg, exercise or sports, eating or cooking, school, or personal care). Participants were instructed to wear an accelerometer on their nondominant wrist during the protocol period. A total of 144 days of protocol data were collected from the 48 participants. Results Protocol data for 123 days were eligible for analysis. A Fisher exact test showed a statistically significant association between plans and physical activity behavior (P=.02). The congruence between plans and behavior was fair (Cohen κ=0.220; 95% CI 0.028-0.411). Most participants did not plan to be active, which occurred on 75.6% (93/123) of days. Of these 93 days, no physical activity occurred on 76 (81.7%) days, whereas some physical activity occurred on 17 (18.3%) days. On the remaining 24.4% (30/123) of days, some physical activity was planned. Of these 30 days, no physical activity occurred on 18 (60%) days, whereas some physical activity occurred on 12 (40%) days. LIAD data indicated that activities related to screen time most often replaced planned physical activity, whereas unplanned physical activity was often related to active transport. Feasibility analyses indicated little difficulty in using LIAD, and there were no significant differences in feasibility by protocol length. Conclusions Consistent with previous literature, physical activity plans and physical activity behaviors were linked, but not strongly linked. LIAD offers insight into the relationship between plans and behavior, highlighting the importance of active transport for physical activity and the influence of screen-related behaviors on insufficient physical activity. LIAD is a feasible and practical method for collecting time-use data in real time.

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Body-Related Self-Conscious Emotions Relate to Physical Activity Motivation and Behavior in Men

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988314537517 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 209-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Andree L. Castonguay ◽

Eva Pila ◽

Carsten Wrosch ◽

Catherine M. Sabiston

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

The Body ◽

Positive Health ◽

Intrinsic Regulation ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

And Behavior ◽

Authentic Pride ◽

Physical Activity Motivation

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the body-related self-conscious emotions of shame, guilt, and pride and physical activity motivation and behavior among adult males. Specifically, motivation regulations (external, introjected, indentified, intrinsic) were examined as possible mediators between each of the body-related self-conscious emotions and physical activity behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted with adult men ( N = 152; Mage = 23.72, SD = 10.92 years). Participants completed a questionnaire assessing body-related shame, guilt, authentic pride, hubristic pride, motivational regulations, and leisure-time physical activity. In separate multiple mediation models, body-related shame was positively associated with external and introjected regulations and negatively correlated with intrinsic regulation. Guilt was positively linked to external, introjected, and identified regulations. Authentic pride was negatively related to external regulation and positively correlated with both identified and intrinsic regulations and directly associated with physical activity behavior. Hubristic pride was positively associated with intrinsic regulation. Overall, there were both direct and indirect effects via motivation regulations between body-related self-conscious emotions and physical activity ( R2 shame = .15, guilt = .16, authentic pride = .18, hubristic pride = .16). These findings highlight the importance of targeting and understanding self-conscious emotions contextualized to the body and links to motivation and positive health behavior among men.

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Validation of a Noninvasive, Disposable Activity Monitor for Clinical Applications

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 546-551 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Greg Welk ◽

Youngwon Kim ◽

Robin P. Shook ◽

Laura Ellingson ◽

Roberto L. Lobelo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Activity Monitor ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

Sensewear Armband ◽

Statistical Equivalence ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

And Behavior

Background:The study evaluated the concurrent and criterion validity of a new, disposable activity monitor designed to provide objective data on physical activity and energy expenditure in clinical populations.Methods:A sample of healthy adults (n = 52) wore the disposable Metria IH1 along with the established Sensewear armband (SWA) monitor for a 1-week period. Concurrent validity was examined by evaluating the statistical equivalence of estimates from the Metria and the SWA. Criterion validity was examined by comparing the relative accuracy of the Metria IH1 and the SWA for assessing walking/running. The absolute validity of the 2 monitors was compared by computing correlations and mean absolute percent error (MAPE) relative to criterion data from a portable metabolic analyzer.Results:The output from 2 monitors was highly correlated (correlations > 0.90) and the summary measures yielded nearly identical allocations of time spent in physical activity and energy expenditure. The monitors yielded statistically equivalent estimates and had similar absolute validity relative to the criterion measure (12% to 15% error).Conclusions:The disposable nature of the adhesive Metria IH1 monitor offers promise for clinical evaluation of physical activity behavior in patients. Additional research is needed to test utility for counseling and behavior applications.

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Psychosocial Aspects of Youth Physical Activity

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2017-0005 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 35-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lindsay E. Kipp

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Parental Support ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Self Perceptions ◽

Active Lifestyles ◽

Overweight Adolescents ◽

Family Based ◽

And Behavior

Two articles that contribute to the literature on psychosocial predictors of youths’ physical activity motivation and behavior were chosen for commentary. The first article by Fenner and colleagues showed that a family-based intervention was effective at increasing overweight adolescents’ self-determined motivation for physical activity and healthy eating and their quality of life. Significant study contributions include a multidisciplinary team of researchers, multiple pre and post intervention assessments, and a longitudinal test of mechanisms of change. Findings contribute to understanding how to provide overweight adolescents with support and choices at a critical developmental period to ultimately foster lifelong healthy behaviors. The second article by Garn and colleagues examined longitudinal relationships between physical self-perceptions and physical activity among children. Important study contributions include use of accelerometers to assess physical activity and tests of bidirectional relationships. The sample of young children aged 8–11 years also contributes to the literature. Results highlight body acceptance as an important mechanism of focus to foster children’s physical activity behavior. Overall, the highlighted studies show that parental support and positive self-perceptions are important to consider in supporting youths’ active lifestyles.

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Evidence to Support the Use of the Retrospective Pretest method to Measure Dietary and Physical Activity Behavior and Self-Efficacy in Adolescents

Journal of Youth Development ◽

10.5195/jyd.2008.326 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 130-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mical Kay Shilts ◽

Dorothy Smith ◽

Lenna Ontai ◽

Marilyn S. Townsend

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Evaluation Instrument ◽

Evaluation Tool ◽

Retrospective Pretest ◽

8Th Grade ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

And Behavior

This study compared the retrospective pretest-posttest method to the traditional prospective pretest-posttest method assessing adolescents’ dietary and physical activity, self-efficacy and behaviors. Participants were 7th and 8th grade students at a rural K-8th grade elementary school in Northern California (n=188). All participants completed an evaluation instrument (traditional pretest), followed by a 9-lesson dietary and physical activity intervention. Upon completion of the intervention, participants completed a second and identical evaluation instrument which served as a traditional posttest. The following day, participants completed another evaluation tool, this time formatted as a retrospective pretest. Analysis included sample t tests comparing the means of each method. Participants (n = 154) with a mean age of 13 ± .7 years old were included in the analyses (52% female). Paired sample t tests reported non-significant differences between the two methods for dietary behavior and dietary self-efficacy, yet significant differences were found for physical activity behavior (p < .05) and physical activity self-efficacy (p < .01). We conclude that the retrospective pretest-posttest method was as good a measure of dietary self-efficacy and behavior as the traditional prospective pretest-posttest method and may be better at attenuating response-shift bias when assessing physical activity self-efficacy and behavior.

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Exploration of Habitual Walking Behavior and Home-Based Muscle Power Training in Individuals With Total Knee Arthroplasty

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0233 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 331-338

Author(s):

Elaine Trudelle-Jackson ◽

Emerenciana Hines ◽

Ann Medley ◽

Mary Thompson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Power Training ◽

Walking Behavior ◽

Home Based

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a home-based muscle power training program on muscle strength and power, functional performance, and physical activity behavior in individuals at least 6 months posttotal knee arthroplasty. Methods: Twelve men and women, mean age 63.9 (6.8) and 6 months to 2 years posttotal knee arthroplasty unilateral or bilateral), completed this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the home-based power training intervention or step-monitoring comparison group. Quadriceps muscle strength and power, 6-minute walk test, functional leg power, and habitual walking behavior (average daily steps, minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity) were assessed before and after intervention and then compared between and within groups. Results: The authors found no significant differences between the groups on amount of change in any of the outcomes, but mixed results on differences within each of the groups on the outcome measures. Conclusion: There were no differences between the groups for amount of change on the outcome measures the authors selected. Although within group differences varied slightly for each group, it was not enough to justify the more expensive home-based power training over the simpler step-monitoring intervention.

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GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BELIEF-BASED TARGETS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2008.36.1.77 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 77-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Linda Trinh ◽

Ryan E. Rhodes ◽

Shon M. Ryan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Control Beliefs ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

Behavior Study ◽

And Behavior ◽

And Control

This Study elicited salient Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) beliefs about physical activity among adolescents (Study 1) and then used these beliefs to evaluate gender differences in intention and behavior (Study 2). Study 1 was conducted with a sample (N = 25) of Canadian adolescents, followed by Study 2 (N = 157) where participants completed measures of intention, behavioral, normative, and control beliefs and a one-month follow-up of physical activity behavior. For belief-behavior relationships, boys had larger correlations for control beliefs about schoolwork, other plans, and weather, compared to girls who reported larger correlations for norms from friends (p < .05). Belief-behavior correlation differences by gender were identified that may signal important tailoring in physical activity interventions for adolescents.

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Working from Home After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Do Company Employees Sit More and Move Less?

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13020939 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 939

Author(s):

Mohammad Javad Koohsari ◽

Tomoki Nakaya ◽

Ai Shibata ◽

Kaori Ishii ◽

Koichiro Oka

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Work Related ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

Working From Home ◽

Work Style ◽

Before And After

Background–Several non-pharmaceutical policies, which include stay-at-home orders, mobility restrictions, and quarantine, have been implemented to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study examines work style changes among company workers after COVID-19 and analyses their effects on workers’ domain-specific sedentary and active behaviours. Methods - We analysed data from a nationwide prospective online survey in Japan. The data were obtained in February 2019 (n = 3200) and in July 2020 (n = 1709) from the registered individuals of a Japanese internet research service company. The participants reported work style patterns before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the follow-up survey. Domain-specific sedentary behaviours and physical activities were assessed by questionnaires. Paired t-tests were used to compare work styles before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the associations between changes in work style and changes in sedentary behaviours and physical activities. Results. Workers had more working from home days and fewer office-based working days after the outbreak of COVID-19 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The increase in the number of working from home days per week was significantly associated with increases in work-related sitting time and total sitting time (b = 0.16, 95% CI 0.08, 0.24, p < 0.001 and b = 0.23, 95% CI 0.11, 0.36, p < 0.001, respectively). However, it was also associated with a decrease in car sitting time (b = −0.04, 95% CI −0.06, -0.01, p < 0.001). In addition, the increase in the number of working from home days was associated with a decrease in work-related moderate physical activity (b =−0.06, 95% CI −0.10, −0.02, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Our study provided preliminary evidence of an increase in working from home days in response to COVID-19 in Japan and of how this increase in the number of working from home days has affected workers’ sedentary behaviours and physical activities. These findings shed light on the effects of COVID-19 on work styles and workers’ sedentary behaviours and physical activity.

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