The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in a Relatively Young Population Living in Kosovo
Open Access
- 13 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Vol. 10 (4), 763
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10040763
Abstract
To abate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, different restriction measures were imperative, limiting the possibility to be engaged in physical activity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity (PA) levels expressed as energy expenditure (MET-min/week) and sedentary behaviour in Kosovo. The possible association between PA levels and other factors was analyzed. 1633 participants (age range: 13 to 63 years; mean: 24.70 ± 9.33 years; body height: 172 ± 10.57 cm; body mass: 69.10 ± 13.80 kg; BMI: 23.09 ± 3.63 kg/m2) participated in the study, categorized by age, gender, BMI, and living area. An online survey, including an adapted version of the IPAQ-SF, was administered once during lockdown to assess PA levels and sedentary behaviour both before and during COVID-19 lockdown. The Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis rank of sum tests were used for statistical analysis. COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on the types of and overall PA levels MET-min/week (p < 0.001). Sedentary behaviour significantly increased during COVID-19 restrictions (p < 0.001). Higher decreases in MET-min/week during lockdown were observed among males, young and young adults, overweight, and urban-living participants. Finally, COVID-19 restrictions decreased the PA levels and MET-min/week, and increased sedentary behaviour also in a relatively young cohort. Such differences were dependent on several factors.Keywords
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- Impact of sedentarism due to the COVID‐19 home confinement on neuromuscular, cardiovascular and metabolic health: Physiological and pathophysiological implications and recommendations for physical and nutritional countermeasuresEuropean Journal of Sport Science, 2020
- Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Exercise Training in Persons Living with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisJournal of Clinical Medicine, 2019
- Physical activity and Mediterranean diet based on olive tree phenolic compounds from two different geographical areas have protective effects on early osteoarthritis, muscle atrophy and hepatic steatosisEuropean Journal of Nutrition, 2018
- The importance of physical activity in osteoporosis. From the molecular pathways to the clinical evidence2016
- Effects of exercise on physical limitations and fatigue in rheumatic diseasesWorld Journal of Orthopedics, 2015
- Physical activity, immunity and infectionProceedings Of The Nutrition Society, 2010
- Physical activity: Health outcomes and importance for public health policyPreventive Medicine, 2009
- Health benefits of physical activity: the evidenceCMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2006
- Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic diseaseScandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 2006
- Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Care, 2003