Key result
COVID-19 linked to reduced physical activity in ~43% of older adults, driven by access barriers and anxiety.
Why the study?
The study evaluated changes in physical activity from pre-COVID-19 to during the pandemic and factors associated with reduced activity among adults aged 50 years and older.
Cross-Sectional (n=503)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of adults aged 50 and older reported reduced physical activity, driven by lack of access to facilities, anxiety, and commitment difficulties.
May inform barrier-focused strategies to preserve activity in adults ≥50 during disruptions; leaves open causal effects and intervention efficacy.
OBJECTIVE: We examined changes in physical activity from pre-COVID-19 to during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors associated with reduced physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older. DESIGN: Participants of a validation study were stratified into being "less active than before" or "equally or more active than before" COVID-19. Multivariable manual backward analyses were used to identify self-reported barriers associated with the reduction in physical activity. RESULTS: Reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 were reported among 244 of 503 participants (43%). After adjusting for demographics and health conditions, factors that increased the odds of reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 were lacking access to workout places, feeling too anxious, and difficulty committing to physical activity. Factors that decreased the odds of reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 were self-identifying a heart- or lung-associated diagnosis that impacts physical activity and having a 12-mo retrospective history of falling. CONCLUSIONS: The physical activity participation barriers identified to be associated with a reduction in physical activity can be used as a starting point for a conversation regarding physical activity participation during COVID-19. TO CLAIM CME CREDITS: Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME. CME OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Describe the changes in physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older from pre-COVID-19 to during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) Differentiate between the COVID-19 related factors associated with reduced physical activity levels among adults 50 yrs and older and younger adults; and (3) Identify the physical activity-related factor that decreased the odds of reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19 among adults 50 yrs and older. LEVEL: Advanced. ACCREDITATION: The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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A 2022 study conducted a cross-sectional in Physical activity participation barriers during COVID-19 (n=503). COVID-19 pandemic barriers was evaluated on Reduced physical activity levels during COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of adults aged 50 and older reported reduced physical activity, associated with barriers like lack of access to workout places and anxiety.
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