Search

PURPOSE: The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has resulted in disruptions to daily routines, including physical activity (PA). PA is a behavior that could assist in both prevention of and recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in PA and the factors that associate with PA during COVID-19 in a sample of adults from Utah. METHODS: Participants were a sample of 201 adults (52.7% Female; Age: 40.6±18.5 yrs; BMI: 26.7±5.8 kg/m2) living in the state of Utah who were given 3 sets of online questionnaires during the first 3 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US (wave 1: April-July; wave 2: Aug-Sept; wave 3: Oct-Dec). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was self-reported at three study time points via the short form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Self-efficacy for exercise (via the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale), self-reported COVID-19 related changes to work/occupation, and working from home were also examined in the relationship with MVPA. A general linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the associations between pandemic wave, self-efficacy, occupation change, and working from home status with MVPA. Effect modification was tested using interaction terms. RESULTS: Individuals who worked from home tended to have lower self-reported log-MVPA compared to those not working from home (b=-0.77; 95%CI= -1.31 - -0.23; p=0.005). However, those who reported only that their work was affected by the pandemic did not exhibit significantly higher or lower log-MVPA (p=0.67). Finally, those with high self-efficacy had higher log- MVPA compared to those with low self-efficacy (b=0.58; 95%CI= 0.04 - 1.12; p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MVPA during COVID-19 is affected by specific work-related variables and self-efficacy for PA. These findings can help to inform and establish interventions to improve health outcomes during and after global pandemics, such as COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]