A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Physical Activity during COVID-19 in a Sample of Rural and Non-Rural Participants in the US

Alan M. Beck, Amanda S. Gilbert, Dixie D. Duncan and Eric M. Wiedenman
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Alan M. Beck: Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Amanda S. Gilbert: Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Dixie D. Duncan: Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Eric M. Wiedenman: Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-9

Abstract: Physical activity (PA) pre-COVID-19 was lower in rural areas compared to non-rural areas. The purpose of this study was to determine COVID-19’s impact on PA in rural and non-rural residents. A cross-sectional study consisting of a convenience sample of 278 participants (50% rural, 50% non-rural) from 25 states completed an online survey describing their PA behaviors and perceptions during COVID-19. The global physical activity questionnaire was used to determine PA in various domains and summed to determine if the participant met the PA guidelines. Rural participants had a significantly higher body mass index, lower income, and a lower educational attainment. Conversely, non-rural participants reported more barriers to PA. There was no difference in the perception of COVID-19’s impact on PA, specifically; however, rural participants were significantly less likely to meet cardiorespiratory PA recommendations compared to non-rural participants. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the continued disparity in PA between rural and non-rural residents, despite the supposition of COVID-19 being less impactful in rural areas due to sparse populations. Efforts should be pursued to close the PA gap between rural and non-rural residents.

Keywords: physical activity; COVID-19; rural (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 (5)

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