COVID-19 pandemic and physical inactivity in Brazilian university students: a multicenter study
Covid-19 y inactividad física en universitarios
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.27e0258Keywords:
COVID-19, Physical activity, College students, Sedentary lifestyle, Social isolationAbstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with variables of the pandemic context in Brazilian university students. A cross-sectional, multicentric study was carried out in five public universities in different geographic regions of Brazil. The study included 5,720 students, aged 18 or over, between September 2020 and May 2021. Data collection was performed through a self administered online questionnaire on the REDCap platform. The dependent variable was physical inactivity. The independent variables were the aspects related to the pandemic. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 48.8% (95%CI: 47.5%; 50.1%), ranging from 26.3% for those who went out every or almost every day for non-essential activities and 64.9 % for those who stayed at home all the time. University students who reported continuing to work normally and who were afraid of the pandemic were more likely to be physically inactive. The groups that were less likely to have the outcome were those with a reduction in income, those who left home more often for essential and non-essential activities, those who started working at home, those who complied with the social distancing, and those who had a risk factor for COVID-19. The findings indicate that one in two Brazilian university students are physically inactive and the main risk factors were isolation and fear of the pandemic. Interventions are recommended to promote physical activity, especially for the groups most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Downloads
References
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. COVID-19: delay, mitigate, and communicate. The Lancet. Respiratory medicine. 2020;8(4):321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30128-4
Lana RM, Coelho FC, Gomes MFC, Cruz OG, Bastos LS, Villela DAM, et al. Emergência do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2) e o papel de uma vigilância nacional em saúde oportuna e efetiva. Cad Saude Publica. 2020;36(3): e00019620. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00019620
Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Recomendações para o planejamento de retorno às atividades escolares presenciais no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19 [Internet]. Ministério da Saúde. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz: 2021; Disponível em: <https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/bitstream/icict/48700/2/Recomendacao_retorno_atividades_escolares_2021-08-19.pdf> [2021 setembro].
Jalal SM, Beth MRM, Al-Hassan HJM, Alshealah NMJ. Body mass index, practice of physical activity and lifestyle of students during COVID-19 Lockdown. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2021;14:1901–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S325269
Oliveira DM, Gouvêa-e-Silva LF, Costa VS, Villela EFM, Fernandes EV. Association between social isolation, level of physical activity and sedentary behavior in pandemic times. Rev Bras em Promoção da Saúde. 2021;34:12280. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5020/18061230.2021.12280
Savage MJ, Hennis PJ, Magistro D, Donaldson J, Healy LC, James RM. Nine months into the COVID-19 Pandemic: A longitudinal study showing mental health and movement behaviours are impaired in uk students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(6):2930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062930
Amatori S, Zeppa SD, Preti A, Gervasi M, Gobbi E, Ferrini F, et al. Dietary habits and psychological states during COVID-19 home isolation in Italian college students: The role of physical exercise. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3660. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123660
Özden G, Parlar Kiliç S. The effect of social isolation during COVID-19 Pandemic on nutrition and exercise behaviors of nursing students. Ecol Food Nutr. 2021;00(00):1–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03670244.2021.1875456
Barkley JE, Lepp A, Glickman E, Farnell G, Beiting J, Wiet R, et al. the acute effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students and employees. Int J Exerc Sci. 2020;13(5):1326–39.
Coughenour C, Gakh M, Pharr JR, Bungum T, Jalene S. Changes in depression and physical activity among college students on a diverse campus after a COVID-19 stay-at-home order. J Community Health. 2021;46(4):758–66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00918-5
Bertrand L, Shaw KA, Ko J, Deprez D, Chilibeck PD, Zello GA. The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021;46(3):265–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0990
Tavolacci MP, Wouters E, Van de Velde S, Buffel V, Déchelotte P, Van Hal G, et al. The impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on health behaviors among students of a French university. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(8):4346. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084346
Gallo LA, Gallo TF, Young SL, Moritz KM, Akison LK. The impact of isolation measures due to COVID-19 on energy intake and physical activity levels in Australian university students. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1865. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061865
Coakley KE, Lardier DT, Holladay KR, Amorim FT, Zuhl MN. Physical activity behavior and mental health among university students during COVID-19 Lockdown. Front Sport Act Living. 2021;3:682175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.682175
Hallal PC, Sardinha LMV, Wehrmeister FC PP. Telephone Survey of Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in times of a pandemic – COVITEL Brasil [Internet]. Final report. 2022; Disponível em:https://www.vitalstrategies.org/resources/covitel-inquerito-telefonico-de-fatores-de-risco-para-doencas-cronicas-nao-transmissiveis-em-tempos-de-pandemia/ [2022 maio].
Rahman ME, Islam MS, Bishwas MS, Moonajilin MS, Gozal D. Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors in the Bangladeshi population during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online cross-sectional survey. Heliyon. 2020;6(10):e05392. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05392
Tavares GH, Oliveira DP, Rodrigues LR, Mota CG, Sousa TF, Polo MCE. Inatividade física no lazer durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em universitários de Minas Gerais. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0178
López-Valenciano A, Suárez-Iglesias D, Sanchez-Lastra MA, Ayán C. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students’ Physical Activity Levels: An Early Systematic Review. Front Psychol. 2021;11:624567. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.624567
Pecanha T, Goessler KF, Roschel H, Gualano B. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase physical inactivity and the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Am J Physiol - Hear Circ Physiol. 2020;318(6):H1441–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00268.2020
Narici M, Vito G, Franchi M, Paoli A, Moro T, Marcolin G, et al. 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 countermeasures. Eur J Sport Sci. 2021;21(4):614–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1761076
Laddu DR, Lavie CJ, Phillips SA, Arena R. Physical activity for immunity protection: Inoculating populations with healthy living medicine in preparation for the next pandemic. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2021;64:102–4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2020.04.006
Sallis R, Young DR, Tartof SY, Sallis JF, Sall J, Li Q, et al. Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes: a study in 48 440 adult patients. Br J Sports Med. 2021:55(19):1099–105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-104080
Silva DR, Werneck AO, Malta DC, Souza-Júnior PRB, Azevedo LO, Barros MBA, et al. Incidence of physical inactivity and excessive screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: what are the most affected population groups? Ann Epidemiol. 2021;62:30–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2021.05.001
Wathelet M, Duhem S, Vaiva G, Baubet T, Habran E, Veerapa E, et al. Factors Associated With Mental Health Disorders Among University Students in France Confined During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2025591. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25591
Huckins JF, DaSilva AW, Wang W, Hedlund E, Rogers C, Nepal SK, et al. Mental Health and Behavior of College Students During the Early Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Smartphone and Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(6):e20185. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/20185
Arora T, Grey I. Health behaviour changes during COVID-19 and the potential consequences: A mini-review. J Health Psychol. 2020;25(9):1155–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320937053
Santos DL, Azambuja CR. Physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0177
Kasser SL, Kosma M. Health beliefs and physical activity behavior in adults with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Health J. 2012;5(4):261–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.07.001
Rosenstock IM, Strecher VJ, Becker MH. Social Learning Theory and the Health Belief Model. Health Educ Q. 1988;15(2):175–83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500203
Medeiros ED, Reis LM, Guimarães CLC, Silva PGN, Monteiro RP, Coelho GLH, et al. Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S). Curr Psychol. 2021:1-10.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Brazilian Journal of Physical Activity & Health
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
When submitting a manuscript to the Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde, the authors retain the copyright to the article and authorize the Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde to publish the manuscript under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and identify it as the original publication source.