Physical activity patterns of young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mini-Oral Presentation B1.2

Authors

  • Youssra Amekran Abdelmalek Essaadi University
  • Narjisse Damoun Abdelmalek Essaadi University
  • Abdelkader Jalil El Hangouche Abdelmalek Essaadi University; University Hospital Center of Tangier; Mohammed V University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.591

Keywords:

Physical Activity, Young Adults, COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic led many countries to implement restrictive measures, including lockdowns, in order to reduce the spread of the infection. Hence, populations worldwide are at high risk of physical inactivity. Purpose: We aimed to study the patterns of physical activity (PA) among young adults during COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 560 Moroccan young adults recruited during COVID-19 lockdown. PA was measured using the French version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.9 ± 3.6 years and 66.1 % were women. 40.9 % showed high level of PA, 25 % and 34.1 % showed moderate level and low level of PA, respectively. The median time (median [Q1 – Q3]) of total PA was 38.57 [12.86 – 110.89] min/day. As for amounts of PA by domains, the median time of work related PA was 0.00 [0 – 18.75] min/day, and 10.71 [0.00 – 28.93] and 12.86 [0.00 – 38.57] of work- and recreation related PA, respectively. The time spent in sitting was 8.00 [6.00 – 12.00] hours/day. A significant gender difference was observed with women having lower physical activity (p = 0.006). Conclusions: This study provides information about physical activity levels and patterns of young adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. Reporting this information is important during stressful periods like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate population’s behaviors in times of crises, and importantly to help establish and develop recommendations promoting physical activity.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Amekran, Y., Damoun, N., & El Hangouche, A. J. (2021). Physical activity patterns of young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Mini-Oral Presentation B1.2. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.591