Fear of COVID-19 influences physical activity practice: a study in a Brazilian sample.

The suspension of social activities combined with health insecurity, uncertainty and fear of COVID-19 may influence physical activity practice. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and anxiety on physical activity patterns during the pandemic period. This cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 520 Brazilian participants recruited by online sampling and snowball method. We assessed demographic variables, health perceptions, anxiety, fear of COVID-19 and physical activity characteristics. Both fear scores and anxiety were higher in woman (p < 0.0001). We observed a remarkable reduction in the frequency and intensity of physical activity and a modification in the exercise practice environment (from gym or sports centers to home-based physical activity) (p < 0.05). Sedentary (sitting) behavior increased during pandemic both in the weekdays and in the weekend (p < 0.0001). Participants who have never been infected were more prone of being classified in higher levels for physical activity (OR: 1.916, CI = 1.043-3.521) versus those who were previously infected (p = 0.05). Participants with a low or moderate level of physical activity before the pandemic presented lower chances of being classified as high physical activity level during the pandemic in comparison to those with high level before pandemic (p < 0.001). The Fear of Covid-19 score was negatively associated with the physical activity level (the higher the fear, the lower the level of physical activity); that is, for every increase in scale score, the odds of vigorous physical activity decreased 3%. In conclusion, fear of COVID-19 and previous contact with the virus negatively influenced physical activity practice.

Sedentarism—A predominant factor in difficult post-COVID-19 recovery

A sedentary lifestyle refers to being sedentary, a person who does not like to walk, exercise, or take part in any physical activity that involves activating the muscular and skeletal system, with the activity of internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, etc. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of us are forced to exercise less, it is even more important for people of all ages and basic skills as well as exercise to be as active as possible. Insufficient physical activity is a major risk factor for overweight and obesity, both in adults and children and is implicitly involved in diseases associated with obesity. Obesity represents an important risk factor for COVID patients. The need to adopt an active lifestyle from childhood, by forming the skills to exercise in any form, whether practicing a sport or not, and adopting a healthy diet while avoiding junk foods, and understanding the nutrients that provide us with proper nutrition are mandatory conditions for combating obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, which are predominant factors in post-Covid recovery, factors that have also unfortunately contributed to increased mortality among people infected with SARSCOV. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perception of body image, food consumption, sedentary behavior and physical activity in a Brazilian academic population during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The study evaluates the perception of body image associated with food consumption, sedentary behavior, and practice of physical activity responses during the COVID-19 lockdown in the academic population of a Brazilian University. Four hundred fifteen students answered an online survey during 1-31 May/2020. Frequencies were used to describe the outcomes, and the Chi-square test (p< 0.05) to determine associations. A negative perception of change in body image was found in both females and males (e.g., 73% and 55%, respectively), significantly associated with a perception of an increase in food consumption, watching TV and social media (more than 2 hours), not practicing physical activity in females, and with an increase in food consumption in males. The results presented a general picture of behavioral responses during the COVID-19 pandemic of students in Brazil, suggesting that a negative perception of body image changing has been associated with health-related behaviors, especially in females © Copyright 2018: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia

Multivariate Analysis on Physical Activity, Emotional and Health Status of University Students Caused by COVID-19 Confinement.

Confinement as a result of COVID-19 had a strong impact around the world and restricted mobility. The university community started to take routine classes in a virtual and sedentary way, causing negative effects on their health and habits. The objective of this research is to analyze the impact of confinement through surveys of students and interviews with university professors, in order to study the effects of confinement on physical activity, emotional state, and health. The methodology was as follows: (i) preliminary data; (ii) survey development, interviews, and information collection; (iii) data processing and multivariate presentation of the results, using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multiple factor analysis (MFA). The results of 375 respondents show that there is a low level of physical activity (<300 METs, 49.6%), where women register sedentary behavior (73%). Emotionally, most of them show feeling bored. Some express anxiety, depression, discomfort, and frustration. In terms of health, there are rheumatic, circulatory, respiratory, and other diseases related to obesity. It is essential to create programs that promote physical exercise to reduce the consequences of sedentary lifestyles on the physical, social, and mental health of university students, especially engineering students, who experienced greater effects of confinement than those studying nutrition and social sciences.

Actividad física y entretenimiento realizado por escolares durante el confinamiento (Analysis of physical and leisure practices carried out by scholars during lockdown)

The decrease in physical activity among adolescents has become a global health problem. From the educational point of view, preventing sedentarism is of uttermost importance to avoid repercussions on economic and social levels. This study aims to analyze the characteristics and time dedicated to physical and leisure activities by adolescent during the lockdown caused by COVID-19 (2019, April 1 to May 1). The Minnesota Lesuire Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used telematically on 4070 Canarian high school students (M=15.01;SD=3.53 years) during lockdown. 83.13% of the sample did not follow the WHO recommendations regarding physical activity, 63.64% did not keep ACSM recommendations to passive leisure, and 37% did not respect those regarding sleeping time. Likewise, as age increased there was a decrease in the amount of time dedicated to physical activity and thus failure to follow the recommendations of the relevant institutions. Also the time allotted to passive leisure was M=3.55 (SD=2.75) hours per day. It is concluded that the time dedicated to physical activity is insufficient according to the official bodies like as the use of screens acquires great predominance in the employment of adolescents’ free time, causing the need to consider future interventions to mitigate the sedentarism level and its consequences. Alternate :La disminución de los hábitos de práctica física entre adolescentes se ha convertido en un problema de salud mundial. Desde el punto de vista educativo, la prevención del sedentarismo es de vital importancia por sus repercusiones tanto a nivel económico, social, como para la salud en general. Este estudio describe y analiza las características y el tiempo dedicado por escolares a actividad física y entretenimiento, durante el período de confinamiento por Covid-19 (1 de abril a 1 de mayo de 2019). Mediante el Minnesota Lesuire Time Physical Activity Questionnaire administrado de manera telemática a 4070 escolares (M=15,01;DT=3,53 años), se encontró que el 83,13% de la muestra no cumplieron las recomendaciones respecto a actividades físicas, el 63,64% las del tiempo de pantallas, y el 37% las horas de sueño. Asimismo, a medida que aumentaba la edad disminuían las horas de práctica física y por ende el incumplimiento de las recomendaciones de los organismos pertinentes. El tiempo destinado a ocio pasivo durante el confinamiento fue de 3,55 (DT=2,75) horas al día. Se concluye que el tiempo de actividad física es insuficiente según los parámetros establecidos, predominando el uso de pantallas en la ocupación del tiempo libre de los adolescentes, por tanto urge plantear intervenciones para mitigar los elevados niveles de sedentarismo.Alternate :A diminuição da atividade física entre os adolescentes tornou-se um problema de saúde global. Do ponto de vista educacional, prevenir o sedentarismo é de extrema importância para evitar repercussões nos níveis econômico e social. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar as características e o tempo dedicado às atividades físicas e de lazer por adolescente durante o bloqueio provocado pelo COVID-19 (2019, 1º de abril a 1º de maio). O Minnesota Lesuire Time Physical Activity Questionnaire foi usado telematicamente em 4.070 estudantes do ensino médio nas Canárias (M = 15.01;DP = 3.53 anos) durante o bloqueio. 83,13% da amostra não seguiu as recomendações da OMS quanto à atividade física, 63,64% não seguiram as recomendações do ACSM para o lazer passivo e 37% não respeitaram as quanto ao tempo de sono. Da mesma forma, com o aumento da idade, houve uma diminuição no tempo dedicado à atividade física e, portanto, o não cumprimento das recomendações das instituições competentes. Além disso, o tempo destinado ao lazer passivo foi M = 3,55 (DP = 2,75) horas por dia. Conclui-se que o tempo dedicado à atividade física é insuficiente segundo os órgãos oficiais à medida que o uso de telas adquire grande predominância no aproveitamento do tempo livre dos adolescentes, fazendo com qu seja necessário considerar intervenções futuras para mitigar o nível de sedentarismo e suas consequências.

The Associations Between Access to Recreational Facilities and Adherence to the American Heart Association's Physical Activity Guidelines in US Adults.

Physical activity decreases the risk of long-term health consequences including cardiac diseases. According to the American Health Association (AHA), adults should perform at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity (PA) or 150 min of moderate PA per week to impact long-term health. Results of previous studies are varied and have yet to integrate perceived access to facilities with AHA PA guidelines. We investigated whether access to free or low-cost recreational facilities was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. Methodology: This cross-sectional study utilized data extracted from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) database collected in 2017 (n = 1,750). The main exposure variable was access to free or low-cost recreational facilities. The main outcome variable was meeting the AHA guidelines of 150 min moderate PA or 75 min vigorous PA per week. Covariates included age, sex, level of education, overall health, BMI, ethnicity, hours of work per week, income, and time living at current address. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate measures of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of the 1,750 included participants, 61.7% (n = 1,079) reported to have access to recreational facilities. Of those with access to facilities, 69.9% met AHA PA guidelines while 30.4% did not. After adjusting for covariates, participants who reported access to recreational facilities were 42% more likely to meet AHA PA guidelines compared with participants who did not (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14-1.76). Secondary results suggest that healthier individuals were more likely to have met AHA PA guidelines. Conclusions: Having access to free or low-cost recreational facilities such as parks, walking trails, bike paths and courts was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. Increasing prevalence and awareness of neighborhood recreational facilities could assist in access to these facilities and increase the ability of individuals to meet AHA PA guidelines. Future research should determine which types of recreational facilities impact physical activity strongest and discover methods of increasing their awareness.

The Relevance of a Physical Active Lifestyle and Physical Fitness on Immune Defense: Mitigating Disease Burden, With Focus on COVID-19 Consequences.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a fast spreading virus leading to the development of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Severe and critical cases are characterized by damage to the respiratory system, endothelial inflammation, and multiple organ failure triggered by an excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, culminating in the high number of deaths all over the world. Sedentarism induces worse, continuous, and progressive consequences to health. On the other hand, physical activity provides benefits to health and improves low-grade systemic inflammation. The aim of this review is to elucidate the effects of physical activity in physical fitness, immune defense, and its contribution to mitigate the severe inflammatory response mediated by SARS-CoV-2. Physical exercise is an effective therapeutic strategy to mitigate the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this sense, studies have shown that acute physical exercise induces the production of myokines that are secreted in tissues and into the bloodstream, supporting its systemic modulatory effect. Therefore, maintaining physical activity influence balance the immune system and increases immune vigilance, and also might promote potent effects against the consequences of infectious diseases and chronic diseases associated with the development of severe forms of COVID-19. Protocols to maintain exercise practice are suggested and have been strongly established, such as home-based exercise (HBE) and outdoor-based exercise (OBE). In this regard, HBE might help to reduce levels of physical inactivity, bed rest, and sitting time, impacting on adherence to physical activity, promoting all the benefits related to exercise, and attracting patients in different stages of treatment for COVID-19. In parallel, OBE must improve health, but also prevent and mitigate COVID-19 severe outcomes in all populations. In conclusion, HBE or OBE models can be a potent strategy to mitigate the progress of infection, and a coadjutant therapy for COVID-19 at all ages and different chronic conditions.

Factors Associated with Reduction in Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic in São Paulo, Brazil: An Internet-Based Survey Conducted in June 2020.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected physical activity levels. This study investigated the factors associated with the change in physical activity level in Brazilians residing in the city of São Paulo. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire, addressing personal data, restriction level, education level, family income, daily working hours, and physical activity level, was answered by 2140 volunteers, of which 1179 were excluded because the answers were either incomplete or the respondents were not from São Paulo. The total number of participants selected was 961 (581 female and 380 male). RESULTS: The physical activity level adopted prior to the pandemic period (p < 0.001) and family income (p = 0.001) correlated significantly with physical activity level reduction during the pandemic. The proportion of people who reduced their physical activity was greater among those who were very active than those who were active (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.65 [confidence interval (CI): 0.52-0.80]) or insufficiently active [aPR: 0.39 (0.18-0.82)]. The proportion of people who reduced their physical activity was greater among those who received a salary less than minimum wage (MW) than those who received a salary between three to six times minimum wage [(aPR: 0.50 (CI 0.35-0.70)] or more than 6 MW [(aPR: 0.56 (CI 0.40-0.79)]. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of Brazilians residing in the city of São Paulo reduced their physical activity who had a vigorous level of physical activity prior to the pandemic and who received less than a MW.

Behavioral Risk Factors and Adherence to Preventive Measures: Evidence From the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Behavioral risk factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, and unhealthy food intake are added risk factors for severe outcomes of COVID-19 infections. Preventive measures to avoid infections are therefore particularly important for individuals engaging in behavioral risk factors. We seek to determine whether behavioral risk factors (BRFs) play a significant role in the adherence to preventive COVID-19 measures in a population aged 50 and above. The SHARE wave 8 (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) and SHARE COVID-19 Survey served as the database, resulting in an analytical sample of 17,588 respondents from 23 European countries plus Israel. Of these 36.04% engaged in at least one BRF and 16.68% engaged in 3 or more BRFs. Multilevel logistic regressions revealed that engagement in one BRF was significantly associated with less adherence to hygiene preventive measures, i.e., hand-sanitizing, hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78; 0.94), as was engagement in two BRFs (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74; 0.97) and three or more BRFs (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.59; 0.88). No such association was found between engagement in BRFs and adherences to social isolation preventive measures, i.e., avoiding meeting more than five people, visiting others or going shopping, or regulated preventive measures, i.e., wearing a mask and keeping physical distance. The found association was also stronger when three or more BRFs were engaged in (1 vs. 3 BRFs: χ2 = 3.43, p = 0.06; 2 vs. 3 BRFs: χ2 = 6.05; p = 0.01). The study gives insight into the protective behavior of a population with inherent vulnerability during a global health emergency. It lays the foundation for follow-up research about the evolution of adherence to preventive measures as the pandemic progresses and about long-term behavioral changes. In addition, it can aide efforts in increasing preventive compliance by raising awareness of the added risk behavioral risk factors pose.

The impact of COVID-19 home confinement on neuromuscular performance, functional capacity, and psychological state in Spanish people with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global confinement of more than 2 months in Spain. As a result, the general population has significantly decreased their physical activity levels. The consequences of this abrupt, sedentary lifestyle in Spanish people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) were unknown. Our aim was to examine the impact of COVID-19 home confinement on neuromuscular performance, functional capacity, physical self-perception, and anxiety in pwMS. METHODS: Eighteen pwMS (8:10 men/women, age: 43.41±10.88 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.85±1.34) participated in the study. Rate of force development (RFD) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction during knee extension in both legs, Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), sit-to-stand test, 6 min walk test, 10 m walk test, Physical-Self Perception Questionnaire (PSPQ) and State-Train Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were performed just before and after home confinement. RESULTS: A non-significant moderate effect (p = 0.07; ES = -0.48) was observed in the time in the sit-to-stand test compared to pre-home confinement. There was a significant increase in the time in TUG (p = 0.02; ES = -0.67). The PSQP score decreased (p = 0.01; ES = 0.79) and STAI-state increased (p = 0.01; ES = -0.65) following home confinement. CONCLUSION: Home confinement had an impact on functional capacity, physical self-perception and state anxiety. However, neuromuscular performance was not altered after home confinement.

Association of physical activity levels and the prevalence of COVID-19-associated hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES: We compared physical activity levels before the outbreak and quarantine measures with COVID-19-associated hospitalization prevalence in surviving patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we investigated the association of physical activity levels with symptoms of the disease, length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional. METHODS: Between June 2020 and August 2020, we invited Brazilian survivors and fully recovered patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 to respond to an online questionnaire. We shared the electronic link to the questionnaire on the internet. We collected data about clinical outcomes (symptoms, medications, hospitalization, and length of hospital stay) and cofactors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, preexisting diseases, socioeconomic and educational, and physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short version). RESULTS: Out of 938 patients, 91 (9.7%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. In a univariate analysis, sex, age, and BMI were all associated with hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Men had a higher prevalence of hospitalization (66.6%, p = 0.013). Patients older than 65 years, obese, and with preexisting disease had a higher prevalence of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. In a multivariate regression model, performance of at least 150 min/wk (moderate) and/or 75 min/wk (vigorous) physical activity was associated with a lower prevalence of hospitalizations after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and preexisting diseases (PR = 0.657; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient physical activity levels were associated with a lower prevalence of COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Performing at least 150 min a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 min a week of vigorous-intensity physical activity was associated with 34.3% reduction in prevalence.

Effect of COVID-19 home confinement on sleep monitorization and cardiac autonomic function in people with multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study✰,✰✰.

BACKGROUND: Low sleep quality, cardiac autonomic dysfunction and poor quality of life are some of the most prevalent symptoms in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In addition to the progression of the disease, these symptoms are aggravated by physical inactivity. Therefore, home confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions could further worsen these symptoms. This study aims to analyze the effect of home confinement on objective and subjective sleep quality, cardiac autonomic control based on heart rate variability (HRV), and health-related quality of life in people with MS. METHODS: Actigraphic and subjective sleep quality (Karolinska Sleep Diary, KSD), HRV (Polar-H7), and quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54) were measured before and after 2 months of home confinement in 17 people with MS (7:10 men/women; age: 43.41±10.88 years; body mass index: 24.87±3.31 kg/m2; Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.85±1.34 a.u.). RESULTS: Actigraphic sleep quality (sleep efficiency: ES=1.27, p = 0.01, sleep time: ES=0.81, p = 0.01) and subjective sleep quality (sleep quality: ES=-0.34, p = 0.05), sleep comfort: ES=0.60; p = 0.03, ease of falling asleep: ES=0.70; p = 0.01, ease of waking up: ES=0.87, p<0.01, and having enough sleep: ES=0.87, p<0.01) significantly decreased after home confinement. No differences were observed in HRV or quality of life variables (p ≥ 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Home confinement has worsened the sleep quality, but not in cardiac autonomic control or quality of life, in people with MS. These data highlight the importance of implementing home physical training programs in this population when situations similar to home confinement occur, thus minimizing the negative effects of physical inactivity and their associated comorbidities.

Children's Health Habits and COVID-19 Lockdown in Catalonia: Implications for Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases.

Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic imposed changes in children's daily routine that could lead to changes in behavior patterns. Using a survey targeted at children under 17 years of age, we described dietary (adherence to Mediterranean diet, AMD) and sleeping habits (disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep) after the implementation of lockdown, and examined the probability of the inadequate frequency of physical activity (PA) and use of TV and electronic devices (TV-ED) before and after lockdown through generalized estimating equation models, accounting for age and gender differences. From 3464 children included, 53.2% showed optimal AMD; 79.2% referred to delayed bedtime; and 16.3% were suspected of sleeping disorders after the implementation of lockdown. Delay in bedtime was more frequent among children older than 6 years, and inadequate sleeping hours among those younger than 11 years. There were no gender differences in AMD or sleeping habits. The odds of inadequate frequency of PA and TV-ED use were greater after lockdown, with a greater risk for TV-ED use. Boys were at greater risk of inadequate PA frequency and TV-ED use. Odds ratio of inadequate PA was greater at older ages. Lockdown could influence changes in children's habits that could lead to risk factors for non-communicable diseases during adulthood if such behaviors are sustained over time.

Physical Activity and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among Spanish Employees in a Health-Promotion Program before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Sanitas-Healthy Cities Challenge.

Physical activity and a healthy diet are key factors for avoiding major noncommunicable diseases. The aim of the present study was to analyze how physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among employees participating in the Healthy Cities program have been affected during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was composed of 297 employees from 40 leading companies based in Spain, who participated in the 5th edition of the Sanitas "Healthy Cities" challenge. The participants (148 women and 149 men), aged between 24 and 63 years old (M = 42.76; SD = 7.79) completed the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) questionnaire to measure adherence to the Mediterranean diet before and during the pandemic. Pearson χ2 tests revealed that workers were more likely to show sedentary behaviors during the pandemic than before (83.5% vs. 66.7%). Additionally, they were more likely to reach high levels of PA (51.2% vs. 64%), and Wilcoxon tests revealed that energy expenditure measured in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) was higher during the pandemic (4199.03 METs) than before (3735.32 METs), due to an increase in moderate PA. Lastly, a higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet during the pandemic (76.4%) than before (54.5%) was reported. The findings of this investigation suggest a positive effect of working from home for employees involved in a health-promotion program, and highlight the relevance of this kind of action among this population.

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis as entire populations have been asked to self-isolate and live in home-confinement for several weeks to months, which in itself represents a physiological challenge with significant health risks. This paper describes the impact of sedentarism on the human body at the level of the muscular, cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine and nervous systems and is based on evidence from several models of inactivity, including bed rest, unilateral limb suspension, and step-reduction. Data form these studies show that muscle wasting occurs rapidly, being detectable within two days of inactivity. This loss of muscle mass is associated with fibre denervation, neuromuscular junction damage and upregulation of protein breakdown, but is mostly explained by the suppression of muscle protein synthesis. Inactivity also affects glucose homeostasis as just few days of step reduction or bed rest, reduce insulin sensitivity, principally in muscle. Additionally, aerobic capacity is impaired at all levels of the O2 cascade, from the cardiovascular system, including peripheral circulation, to skeletal muscle oxidative function. Positive energy balance during physical inactivity is associated with fat deposition, associated with systemic inflammation and activation of antioxidant defences, exacerbating muscle loss. Importantly, these deleterious effects of inactivity can be diminished by routine exercise practice, but the exercise dose-response relationship is currently unknown. Nevertheless, low to medium-intensity high volume resistive exercise, easily implementable in home-settings, will have positive effects, particularly if combined with a 15-25% reduction in daily energy intake. This combined regimen seems ideal for preserving neuromuscular, metabolic and cardiovascular health.