Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle: changes during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to age and non-communicable disease

Objective: To analyze the changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the adult population according to age and non-communicable disease. Method. A cross-sectional study including n=1,334 subjects 18-55-year-old was carried out. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) was applied through an online survey to estimate the time (minutes/week) at each PA intensity and the total amount of METs/week before and during the COVID-19 confinement period. Results. The total METs/week [median (interquartile range, IQR)] decreased from 3657 (1977, 5466) to 1059 (396, 2225); sedentary behavior increased from 840 (0, 2100) to 2520 (1680, 4200) [p <0.001]. PA decrease was mainly observed in those with a previously active lifestyle (≥3000 METs/week). Age was negatively related to this change. Conclusion. During the confinement, PA decreased, and sedentary behavior increased, mainly in subjects physically active before the confinement who were younger and regardless of suffering from non-communicable diseases.