“Stay at Home” during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in an Italian Academic Community

Anna Mulasso, Margherita Micheletti Cremasco, Simone Cuomo, Andrea Testa, Lynda Stella Lattke, Aurelia De Lorenzo, Alberto Rainoldi () and Emanuela Rabaglietti
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Anna Mulasso: NeuroMuscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Margherita Micheletti Cremasco: Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
Simone Cuomo: NeuroMuscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Andrea Testa: School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Lynda Stella Lattke: Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
Aurelia De Lorenzo: Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
Alberto Rainoldi: NeuroMuscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Emanuela Rabaglietti: Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: This study investigates changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior in an Italian university community during Phase 1 of SARS-CoV-2 lockdown (“stay at home” government decree, from March 8th to May 4th, 2020) compared to their habits prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examine differences according to gender, university position, BMI categories, and sport participation. A total of 2596 people (median age 24, IQR 11 years; 70.8% women) filled out a survey after eight weeks of statutory confinement at home. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire measured PA and sedentary behavior in a typical week before and during lockdown. Physically inactive people passed from 10.9% to 35.0% before–during the lockdown. The total amount of PA decreased (median 2307 vs. 1367 MET-min/week; p < 0.001), while sedentary behavior increased (median 349 vs. 440 min/day; p < 0.001) between before and during the lockdown. The following categories showed a higher reduction in the total amount of PA: men when compared to women; people with normal weight when compared to pre-obese/obese people; and people who played sports when compared to those who did not play sports. There is a need to propose PA/exercise programs to counteract physical inactivity and sedentarism during a social emergency, with special attention to people who showed higher PA reduction.

Keywords: pandemic; COVID-19; active lifestyle; physical activity; sedentary behavior; adult population; Italian context (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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