Changes in physical activity habits of the population of Guimarães after the COVID-19: analysis by age, gender, and educational qualifications

Aldina Sofia Silva, Inês Oliveira Gonçalves, Dimas Pinto, Joana Rodrigues-Carvalho, Lourenço Freitas and Joana Costa

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2026, vol. 17, issue 3/4, 369-386

Abstract: In Portugal, both light and moderately physical active (PA) subjects decrease their practice after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Considering the role of exercise on physical and mental health, our aim was to characterise the PA habits of Guimarães citizens, during the pandemic and after the covid outbreak. 428 PA adults were interviewed. During lockdowns, young adult citizens were less PA, whereas older people maintain or increased their practice. Then again PA preferences were similar in citizens without academic education and higher academic degrees. All groups intended to return to their PA routines before the pandemic. Therefore, strategies and policies to promote PA after COVID-19, should consider all life cycles, with a special focus on young groups, since their practice was more affected. Supervised practice was consistently preferred across academic levels, underscoring the critical role of professional guidance in designing and implementing exercise programs and municipal initiatives to promote inclusive, effective participation.

Keywords: physical activity; PA; community; sports policy; COVID-19; lockdown; adults; academic level; political strategies. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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