Physical Activity and Its Related Factors during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany

Eszter Füzéki, Jan Schröder, David A. Groneberg and Winfried Banzer
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Eszter Füzéki: Division of Preventive and Sports Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
Jan Schröder: Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty for Psychology and Human Movement Science, Institute for Human Movement Science, University of Hamburg, Turmweg 2, 20148 Hamburg, Germany
David A. Groneberg: Division of Preventive and Sports Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
Winfried Banzer: Division of Preventive and Sports Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Lockdown measures including the closure of physical activity facilities were installed against the spread of the novel coronavirus in March 2020. The aim of the current online survey was to assess the lockdown effects on physical activity in German adults. We assessed physical activity using the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) questionnaire. Pre-lockdown vs. lockdown differences were tested with the Χ 2 test and the Student’s t -test for paired data. Predictor variables to explain compliance with physical activity recommendations were identified using a fixed effects binary logistic regression analysis. Data of 979 respondents were analyzed. Transport related and leisure time physical activity decreased ( p < 0.001, d = 0.16; p < 0.001, d = 0.22, respectively). Compliance with physical activity recommendations decreased from 38.1% to 30.4% (chi 2 [1, 1958] = 12.754, p < 0.001, V = 0.08). In the regression analysis, BMI (OR 0.944, 95% CI 0.909–0.981; p = 0.003), education (OR 1.111, 95% CI 1.021–1.208; p = 0.015), transport related (OR 1.000, 95% CI 1.000–1.000; p = 0.008) and leisure time physical activity (OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.003–1.004; p < 0.001), muscle strengthening (OR 5.206, 95% CI 4.433–6.114; p < 0.001), as well as the ‘lockdown vs. normal’ categorical variable (OR 0.583, 95% CI 0.424–0.802; p = 0.001) showed a contribution, while sex ( p = 0.152), age ( p = 0.266), work related physical activity ( p = 0.133), and remote working ( p = 0.684) did not. Physical activity declined in German adults, and should also be promoted in light of the emerging evidence on its protective effects of against COVID-19. Special attention should be given to muscle strengthening activities and groups with lower educational attainment.

Keywords: confinement; corona; cycling; leisure time activity; walking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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