The quality of rest and its relationship with physical activity practice during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain

ABSTRACT

The Spanish state of alarm, for the COVID-19 outbreak, resulted in mobility restrictions, changes of habits and sleep disorders.We are investigating whether these disorders can be reduced with the practice of physical activity (PA). A questionnaire was administered to 1,046 people (48.57% men and 51.43% women), with an average age of 40 years (SD ±13.35). A descriptive quantitative methodology based on a non-purposive sample was used and the data were subjected to non-parametric tests. Regarding rest (quantity of hours of sleep) increased in general, going from 7.13 hours to 7.65 (p=.000), whereas sleep quality worsened, the score decreased from 3.67 to 3.24, p=.000. For the age ranges (18 to 24 years, 25 to 64 and 65 or older), there was significant data (quality and quantity) for the first two ranges (p=.000), and none for the third.The relationship between PA practice and hours/quality of sleep, there were no significant correlations in the entire sample (p=.191, p=.113). The main finding was no significant correlation for any age ranges (sleep quantity & sleep quality), except for the group of 18-24 years.This result contradicts the findings of previous studies. © Federación Española de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educación Física (FEADEF).