Impact of COVID-19 on physical activity behaviour and cognitions of Canadian adolescents: A longitudinal analysis
Oral Presentation C8.7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.691Keywords:
Physical Activity, Adolescence, M-PAC, COVID-19Abstract
Background: To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Canada imposed restrictions requiring physical distancing, limiting social gatherings, and closing recreational amenities, likely leading to significant changes in the daily lives of many. While some evidence suggests that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on youth physical activity (PA) behaviour, less research has examined how COVID-19 has impacted PA cognitions. Purpose: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on adolescents’ PA behaviour and PA cognitions based on the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework. Methods: Our sample included late adolescents recruited from a large school board in Southern Ontario (N=1238, Mage=15.91±0.50 years, 53% female) who completed data collection in the Fall prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the ADAPT study. Participants completed questionnaires that included self-reported measures of moderate-to-vigorous PA and variables derived from the M-PAC model. Mixed effects models were conducted with individuals nested within schools to examine changes in PA behaviour and cognitions. Results: After adjusting for potential cofounders, results demonstrated a significant decline in PA (Estimate=-56.62, p<.01). Correspondingly, there were significant declines (all p’s<.01) for most PA cognitions examined, including intentions (Estimate=-.35), perceived opportunity (Estimate=-.16), identity (Estimate=-.19), and habit (Estimate=-.20), whereas increases in action planning (Estimate=.14) and coping planning (Estimate=.22) were observed. Conclusions: Findings suggest that PA behaviour and cognitions of Canadian adolescents were impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. These PA cognitions may be targets for intervention during major life disruptions and may have broader implications during the transition into emerging adulthood. Funding: The ADAPT study is funded by an Insight Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
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Copyright (c) 2021 Dusan Kovacevic, Denver M.Y. Brown, Steven Bray, Matthew Y.W. Kwan
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