COVID-19 physical distancing was associated with a significant increase in sleep duration (Cohen's d 1.18) and a reduction in social jet lag compared to the pre-pandemic baseline.
Observational (n=5,436)
Does COVID-19 physical distancing alter sleep, exercise behavior, and cardiovascular indicators of health in adult wearable device users?
Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with positive changes in health-related behaviors, including increased sleep duration and exercise intensity, among wearable device users.
Standardized Mean Difference: 1.18 (95% CI 1.07–1.29)
Absolute Event Rate: 7.1% vs 6.9%
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic incited unprecedented restrictions on the behavior of society. The aims of this study were to quantify changes to sleep/wake behavior and exercise behavior, as well as changes in physiological markers of health during COVID-19 physical distancing. A retrospective analysis of 5,436 US-based subscribers to the WHOOP platform (mean age = 40.25 ± 11.33; 1,536 females, 3,900 males) was conducted covering the period from January 1st, 2020 through May 15th, 2020. This time period was separated into a 68-day baseline period and a 67-day physical distancing period. To provide context and allow for potential confounders (e.g., change of season), data were also extracted from the corresponding time periods in 2019. As compared to baseline, during physical distancing, all subjects fell asleep earlier (−0.25 hours), woke up later (0.48 hours), obtained more sleep (+0.35 hours) and reduced social jet lag (−0.21 hours). Contrasting sleep behavior was seen in 2019, with subjects falling asleep and waking up at a similar time (−0.01 hours; -0.05 hours), obtaining less sleep (−0.14 hours) and maintaining social jet lag (0.01 hours) in corresponding periods. Individuals exercised more intensely during physical distancing by increasing the time spent in high heart rate zones. In 2020, resting heart rate decreased (−0.9 beats per minute) and heart rate variability increased (+0.98 milliseconds) during physical distancing when compared to baseline. However, similar changes were seen in 2019, suggesting the variation may not be related to the introduction of physical distancing mandates. The findings suggest that changes in societal commitments (e.g., daily commute; working from home) during physical distancing may have resulted in changes to health-related behavior (i.e., increased exercise intensity and longer sleep duration). As the COVID-19 pandemic eases, maintenance of certain aspects of physical distancing (e.g., working from home) may allow for positive changes to sleep/wake and exercise behaviors.
Capodilupo et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Healthy individuals (wearable device users) (n=5,436). COVID-19 physical distancing vs. Baseline period (January 1 to March 9, 2020) was evaluated on Sleep duration (hours) (Cohen's d 1.18, 95% CI 1.07, 1.29, p=<0.001). COVID-19 physical distancing was associated with a significant increase in sleep duration (Cohen's d 1.18) and a reduction in social jet lag compared to the pre-pandemic baseline.