Publication:
Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Spanish University Students: Role of Gender.

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Date

2021-01-02

Authors

Rodriguez-Larrad, Ana
Mañas, Asier
Labayen, Idoia
Gonzalez-Gross, Marcela
Espin, Ander
Aznar, Susana
Serrano-Sanchez, Jose Antonio
Vera-Garcia, Francisco J
Gonzalez-Lamuño, Domingo
Ara, Ignacio

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Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to prevent the expansion of the disease. Spain was one of the countries with the strictest conditions, as outdoor physical activity was banned for nearly two months. This study aimed to analyse the changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Spanish university students before and during the confinement by COVID-19 with special focus on gender. We also analysed enjoyment, the tools used and motivation and impediments for doing physical activity. An online questionnaire, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and certain "ad hoc" questions, was designed. Students were recruited by distributing an invitation through the administrative channels of 16 universities and a total of 13,754 valid surveys were collected. Overall, university students reduced moderate (-29.5%) and vigorous (-18.3%) physical activity during the confinement and increased sedentary time (+52.7%). However, they spent more time on high intensity interval training (HIIT) (+18.2%) and mind-body activities (e.g., yoga) (+80.0%). Adaptation to the confinement, in terms of physical activity, was handled better by women than by men. These results will help design strategies for each gender to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour during confinement periods.

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Adolescent
Adult
COVID-19
Exercise
Female
High-intensity interval training
Humans
Male
Pandemics
Sedentary behavior
Sex factors
Spain
Students
Surveys and questionnaires
Universities
Yoga
Young adult

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Conducta sedentaria
Ejercicio físico
Encuestas y cuestionarios
Entrenamiento de intervalos de alta Intensidad
Factores sexuales
Pandemias

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Keywords

International physical activity questionnaire, Lockdown, Pandemic, Physical exercise

Citation

Rodríguez-Larrad A, Mañas A, Labayen I, González-Gross M, Espin A, Aznar S, et al. Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Spanish University Students: Role of Gender. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jan 6;18(2):369