COVID-19 pandemic and explicit processes towards physical activity in Brazilian older adults with hypertension.

This study investigated the initial three-month impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the explicit processes towards physical activity (PA). In addition, we explored whether potential changes in explicit processes are associated with changes in PA and sedentary behavior (SB). Seventeen older adults (aged 65.7 ± 3.8 years; 76.5% women) with hypertension were included in this longitudinal study performed in Natal, Brazil. Explicit processes (explicit attitude [perceived benefits and cons perceived], social norms, social modeling, self-efficacy, intention and motivation) were evaluated through self-reported questionnaire before (January to March 2020) and during (June 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, PA and SB were measured by accelerometry during seven days. Generalized linear and mixed models were used for data analysis. There was a decrease in the explicit attitudes (ß = - 4.8, p = 0.001) and moderate-vigorous PA (ß = - 4.8, p = 0.035) during the COVID-19. Changes in the explicit attitudes were associated with the changes in the moderate-vigorous PA (ß = - 1.6, 95% CI - 2.9, - 0.3, p = 0.034). No significant changes were found in the additional explicit process measures, time spent doing light PA and SB, and step count. Our findings may suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the explicit attitudes related to PA and contributed to decrease the time spent in the moderate-vigorous PA in older adults with hypertension.

Staying Active under Restrictions: Changes in Type of Physical Exercise during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated governmental restrictions suddenly changed everyday life and potentially affected exercise behavior. The aim of this study was to explore whether individuals changed their preference for certain types of physical exercise during the pandemic and to identify risk factors for inactivity. An international online survey with 13,881 adult participants from 18 countries/regions was conducted during the initial COVID-19 related lockdown (between April and May 2020). Data on types of exercise performed during and before the initial COVID-19 lockdown were collected, translated, and categorized (free-text input). Sankey charts were used to investigate these changes, and a mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to analyze risks for inactivity. Many participants managed to continue exercising but switched from playing games (e.g., football, tennis) to running, for example. In our sample, the most popular exercise types during the initial COVID-19 lockdown included endurance, muscular strength, and multimodal exercise. Regarding risk factors, higher education, living in rural areas, and physical activity before the COVID-19 lockdown reduced the risk for inactivity during the lockdown. In this relatively active multinational sample of adults, most participants were able to continue their preferred type of exercise despite restrictions, or changed to endurance type activities. Very few became physically inactive. It seems people can adapt quickly and that the constraints imposed by social distancing may even turn into an opportunity to start exercising for some. These findings may be helpful to identify individuals at risk and optimize interventions following a major context change that can disrupt the exercise routine.

Associations of objectively measured movement behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness with mental health and quality of life in older adults with hypertension: an exploratory analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Herein, we explored the associations of pre-pandemic COVID-19 physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with mental health and quality of life in older adults with hypertension.Method: Objectively measured PA and SB, perceived stress, depression symptoms, and quality of life were assessed before and during the pandemic in seventeen older adults with hypertension. CRF was assessed before the pandemic by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Longitudinal and cross-sectional associations were analyzed using the mixed linear model.Results: Pre-pandemic light PA (positive association) and SB (negative association) were associated with quality of life during the pandemic. Higher pre-pandemic CRF was associated with less negative changes in perceived stress, depression symptoms, and quality of life during the pandemic.Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggest that a healthier pre-pandemic movement behavior (more PA, less SB) and better CRF can mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and quality of life in older adults with hypertension.

Initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in hypertensive older adults: An accelerometer-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study reports the accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in hypertensive older adults. METHODS: Thirty-five hypertensive older adults were included in this observational study. Accelerometer-based PA and SB measures were assessed before (January to March 2020) and during (June 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear mixed models were used to assess within-group changes in PA and SB measures, adjusted by accelerometer wear time. RESULTS: Before COVID-19 pandemic participants presented: 5809 steps/day (SE = 366), 303.1 min/day (SE = 11.9) of light PA, 15.5 min/day (SE = 2.2) of moderate-vigorous PA, and 653.0 min/day (SE = 12.6) of SB. During COVID-19 pandemic there was a decrease in steps/day (ß = -886 steps/day, SE = 361, p = 0.018), in moderate-vigorous PA (ß = -2.8 min/day, SE = 2.4, p = 0.018), and a trend in light PA (ß = -26.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.053). In addition, SB increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (ß = 29.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.032). The magnitude of changes was greater on the weekend, mainly for steps/day (ß = -1739 steps/day, SE = 424, p < 0.001) and the SB pattern (more time spent in bouts of ≥10 and 30 min, less breaks/day and breaks/h). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic may elicit unhealthy changes in movement behavior in hypertensive older adults. Lower PA, higher and more prolonged SB on the weekend are the main features of the behavioral changes.