COVID-19 Pandemic Brings a Sedentary Lifestyle in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study

Chen Zheng, Wendy Yajun Huang, Sinead Sheridan, Cindy Hui-Ping Sit, Xiang-Ke Chen and Stephen Heung-Sang Wong
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Chen Zheng: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 00852, China
Wendy Yajun Huang: Department of Sport and Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 00852, China
Sinead Sheridan: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 00852, China
Cindy Hui-Ping Sit: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 00852, China
Xiang-Ke Chen: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 00852, China
Stephen Heung-Sang Wong: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 00852, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose profound challenges to society. Its spread has been mitigated through strategies including social distancing; however, this may result in the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle. This study aimed to investigate: (1) physical activity (PA) levels, sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep in young adults during the COVID-19 epidemic, and (2) the change in these behaviors before and during the pandemic. A total of 631 young adults (38.8% males) aged between 18 and 35 participated in the cross-sectional study and completed a one-off online survey relating to general information, PA, SB, and sleep. For the longitudinal study, PA, SB, and sleep data, obtained from 70 participants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, were analyzed. Participants engaged in low PA, high SB, and long sleep duration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a significant decline in PA while an increase in time spent in both SB and sleep was observed during the COVID-19 outbreak. The results of this study demonstrated a sedentary lifestyle in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will assist health policymakers and practitioners in the development of population specific health education and behavior interventions during this pandemic and for other future events.

Keywords: COVID-19; physical activity; sedentary behavior; sleep; young adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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