Impact of COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Restrictions on Employment Status, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior

Cheryl A. Howe, Riley J. Corrigan, Fernanda Rocha de Faria, Zoe Johanni, Paul Chase and Angela R. Hillman
Additional contact information
Cheryl A. Howe: Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Riley J. Corrigan: Honors Tutorial College, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Fernanda Rocha de Faria: Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Triângulo Mineiro, Ituiutaba 38305-200, Brazil
Zoe Johanni: Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Paul Chase: Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Angela R. Hillman: Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-13

Abstract: Background. North Americans report insufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and ample sedentary behaviors (SBs), suggesting possible barriers to an active lifestyle. This study compared self-reported MVPA and SB before and during COVID-19 “Stay-at-Home” restrictions as a potential barrier across North America. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed from 21 April to 9 May 2020. ANOVAs compared data overall and by group (age, sex, race, income, education, employment status). Results: During restrictions, 51.4% ( n = 687) of the 1336 responses (991 female, 1187 Caucasian, 634 18–29 years) shifted to work from home and 12.1% ( n = 162) lost their job. Overall, during restrictions, 8.3% ( n = 110) fewer reported work-related MVPA (?178.6 ± 20.9 min/week). Similarly, 28.0% ( n = 374) fewer reported travel-related MVPA, especially females and younger age groups. While the 7.3% ( n = 98) fewer reporting recreational MVPA was not statistically significant (?30.4 ± 11.5 min/week), there was an increase in SB (+94.9 ± 4.1 min/week) in all groups, except the oldest age group (70+ years). Locomotive activities and fitness class remained the predominant MVPA mode. Of those reportedly using facilities (68%; n = 709) before COVID, 31.3% ( n = 418) would not return due to it “being unsafe”. Conclusion: While barriers related to pandemic restrictions had a negative short-term impact on MVPA and SB in North America, the long-term impact is unknown.

Keywords: physical activity; sedentary behavior; exercise barriers; coronavirus (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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