Background and objectives of the study
To date, limited longitudinal studies are examining whether the Covid-19 pandemic affects physical activity levels and what factors help people remain physically active during the lockdown. The authors investigated the changes in U.S. residents’ physical activity during (vs. before) the Covid-19 pandemic and predictors of changes, with a focus on fitness apps and their features (i.e., motivational, educational, or gamification related).
Design and results
The authors utilized a two-wave longitudinal survey design with an online panel. 431 healthy adults from 45 U.S. states self-reported their physical activity levels before and during the lockdown. The findings show that the Covid-19-caused lockdown decreased U.S. residents’ physical activity levels by 18.2%. The use of fitness apps may help buffer the decline, and gamification-related app features may be particularly helpful in this context.
Implications
The study is the first to show that fitness app usage helps buffer the pandemic-caused decline in physical activity over and above baseline physical activity and behavioral intentions. The findings are relevant for both individuals and policymakers. Individuals and health professionals can be recommended to use fitness apps, particularly gamification features, to promote physical activity during a pandemic. Policymakers in public health can be recommended to fight decreases in physical activity during Covid-19 lockdown via collaboration with actors from the digital world, such as smartphone and fitness app providers.
The study: https://academic.oup.com/tbm/advance-article/doi/10.1093/tbm/ibaa086/5905241#207397420
Contakt
Chair of Sport and Health Management
Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Secretary: Mirjam Merz
Uptown Munich Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Germany
Phone +49.89.289.24559
Fax +49.89.289.24642
info.mgt@sg.tum.de