Abstract
Purpose: To examine the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. adults, and whether changes in physical activity levels differed by demographics.
Method: U.S. adults (N = 262) completed an online survey between April 10-May 5, 2020. Using the short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), participants reported minutes of vigorous, moderate, and walking physical activity for a typical week in February 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and for the past 7 days (early-COVID-19).
Results: Participants (82% female, 20% Hispanic, 41% overweight/obese) ranged in age from 18-79 (M=32.9, SD=12.3) years. On average, vigorous intensity (-61.7 min/week, 37% decrease), moderate intensity (-84.1 min/week, 47% decrease), and walking (-104.4 min/week, 33% decrease) physical activity were significantly reduced, with greater reductions for adults who were not working, Hispanic, or from lower income households. Conclusion: Vulnerable population sub-groups may be harder hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of its impact on health-related behaviors.