The effects of the first wave of COVID-19 restrictions on physical activity: a longitudinal study from “step into health” program in Qatar
<h3>Introduction</h3><p dir="ltr">The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions that prevented physical activity in public places. This study sought to conduct a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of how lockdown policies in an Arabian Gulf country influenced the patterns of...
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2024
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| Summary: | <h3>Introduction</h3><p dir="ltr">The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions that prevented physical activity in public places. This study sought to conduct a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of how lockdown policies in an Arabian Gulf country influenced the patterns of physical activity during first wave.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p dir="ltr">In a longitudinal study design, members of the ongoing “Step into health” community-based health promotion program who provided valid pedometer data from January to August 2020, covering pre, during and post-covid first wave period met the inclusion criteria.</p><h3>Results</h3><p dir="ltr">420 (76.7% men, 13.8% ≤40 years) were included in the study. Overall, significant decline in daily step counts was recorded (−1,130 ± SE302) after the implementation of lockdown policies (p < 0.001). When the restrictions were removed, the steps per day were still lower compared to pre-covid for men (−910 ± SE610, p = 0.017) and among individuals with normal BMI (−1,304 ± SE409, p = 0.004). The lockdown in Qatar did not significantly affect women and individuals with obesity who already had lower daily steps pre-covid.</p><h3>Discussion</h3><p dir="ltr">The present study confirms immediate decline in daily steps imposed indirectly through the COVID-19 lockdown measures. Participants with higher physical activity levels pre-covid experienced significant decline in step count during and even after restrictions were uplifted.</p><h2>Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: Frontiers in Public Health<br>License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1333546" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1333546</a></p> |
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