No Evidence for a Decrease in Physical Activity Among Swiss Office Workers During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study

Article


Aegerter, Andrea Martina, Deforth, Manja, Sjogaard, Gisela, Johnston, Venerina, Volken, Thomas, Luomajoki, Hannu, Dratva, Julia, Dressel, Holger, Distler, Oliver, Melloh, Markus, Elfering, Achim and NEXpro Collaboration Group. 2021. "No Evidence for a Decrease in Physical Activity Among Swiss Office Workers During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study." Frontiers in Psychology. 12, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620307
Article Title

No Evidence for a Decrease in Physical Activity Among Swiss Office Workers During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study

ERA Journal ID123048
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsAegerter, Andrea Martina, Deforth, Manja, Sjogaard, Gisela, Johnston, Venerina, Volken, Thomas, Luomajoki, Hannu, Dratva, Julia, Dressel, Holger, Distler, Oliver, Melloh, Markus, Elfering, Achim and NEXpro Collaboration Group
Journal TitleFrontiers in Psychology
Journal Citation12, pp. 1-10
Article Number620307
Number of Pages10
Year2021
PublisherFrontiers Media SA
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
ISSN1664-1078
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620307
Web Address (URL)https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620307/full
Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 lockdown interrupted normal daily activities, which may have led to an increase in sedentary behavior (Castelnuovo et al., 2020). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of physical activity among Swiss office workers.

Methods: Office workers from two Swiss organizations, aged 18–65 years, were included. Baseline data from January 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic became effective in Switzerland were compared with follow-up data during the lockdown phase in April 2020. Levels of physical activity were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Paired sample t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed for statistical analysis.

Results: Data from 76 participants were analyzed. Fifty-four participants were female (71.1%). The mean age was 42.7 years (range from 21.8 to 62.7) at baseline. About 75% of the participants met the recommendations on minimal physical activity, both before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the lockdown. Weak statistical evidence for a decline in total physical activity in metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week (MET min/week) was found (estimate = −292, 95% CI from – ∞ to 74, p-value = 0.09), with no evidence for a decrease in the three types of activity: walking (estimate = −189, 95% CI from – ∞ to 100, p-value = 0.28), moderate-intensity activity (estimate = −200, 95% CI from – ∞ to 30, p-value = 0.22) and vigorous-intensity activity (estimate = 80, 95% CI from – ∞ to 460, p-value = 0.74). Across the three categories “high,” “moderate,” and “low” physical activity, 17% of the participants became less active during the lockdown while 29% became more active.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not result in a reduction in total physical activity levels among a sample of Swiss office workers during the first weeks of lockdown. Improved work-life balance and working times may have contributed to this finding.

Keywordscoronavirus; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; lockdown; physical exercise; health promotion; public health; shutdown
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420106. Physiotherapy
420603. Health promotion
TitleNo Evidence for a Decrease in Physical Activity Among Swiss Office Workers During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study
Byline AffiliationsSchool of Health and Medical Sciences
Centre for Health Research
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