Changes in physical activity during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

Changes in physical activity and sleep following the COVID-19 pandemic on a university campus: Perception versus reality

It has been hypothesized that key lifestyle behaviors of physical activity and sleep worsened in response to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there have been inconsistencies in findings of changes in these key lifestyle behaviors across populations likely due to the wide variety of assessment methods. The purpose of the study was to compare physical activity and sleep before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using accelerometers and self-reported behaviors. A longitudinal follow-up was conducted on students, faculty, and staff at a university campus in the United States. In the periods before March 2020 (covering the academic years of 2018-2019 or 2019-2020) and again in April-June 2021, participants completed surveys to evaluate their physical activity and sleep behaviors and wore an accelerometer. A total of 44 participants completed the survey at both timepoints and 32 completed accelerometer assessment at both timepoints. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported a perceived decline in physical activity, while 30% reported a worsening in sleep. From self-reported data, overall physical activity did not change, but there was a decrease in active transport (p ​< ​0.001) and increase in domestic physical activity (p ​= ​0.012). Sleep quality decreased as evidenced by an increase in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (p ​= ​0.045). There were no changes in accelerometer measured physical activity or sleep. There were no changes in physical or mental health. While perceptions of physical activity declined from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no changes in device-measured physical activity, and changes in self-reported physical activity differed by domain.

Mechanism of Injury for Traumatic Mid-Foot Lisfranc Injuries: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans transitioned away from their normal routines, drove in motor vehicles less, and reduced their physical activity, ultimately influencing the incidence and nature of orthopedic injuries that were operatively managed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and subsequent deconditioning on the mechanism of injury and severity of Lisfranc injury. Methods This retrospective study included patients with a traumatic Lisfranc injury who were surgically treated by a foot and ankle fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon between 2015 and 2021. Electronic health records were queried for patient demographics, mechanism of injury, physical exam findings, and pain scores. Preoperative radiographs were reviewed to grade Lisfranc injuries using the previously described Nunley-Vertullo classification system. Descriptive and univariate statistics were performed to compare 15 patients in the pre-COVID-19 cohort and 15 patients in the post-COVID-19 cohort. Results In the pre-COVID-19 cohort, 80% (n=12/15) of the patients were female, the mean age was 46±15 years, the mean BMI was 29.7±7 kg/m2, and the mean follow-up period was 18.1±12 months. In the post-COVID-19 cohort, 53% (n=8/15) of the patients were female, the mean age was 48.5±17 years, the mean BMI was 31.4±7 kg/m2, and the mean follow-up period was 9.5±4 months. Significantly higher proportions of plantar ecchymosis (n=8/15, 53%), neuropathic pain (n=7/15, 47%), and swelling (n=12/15, 80%) were present in the post-COVID-19 cohort. A low-energy mechanism of injury was sustained by 73% (n=11/15) of the pre-COVID-19 cohort and 80% (n=12/15) of the post-COVID-19 cohort. Lisfranc injuries for the pre-COVID-19 cohort and the post-COVID-19 cohort demonstrated the following classifications: Grade 1 (33%, n=5/15 vs. 40%, n=6/15), Grade 2 (60%, n=9/15 vs. 53%, n=8/15), and Grade 3 (7%, n=1/15 vs. 7%, n=1/15). Conclusion Although a higher proportion of plantar ecchymosis, neuropathic pain, and swelling was observed, there was no association between a low mechanism of injury and a higher grade of Lisfranc injury following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baseline Characteristics in the Remote Diet Intervention to REduce long-COVID Symptoms Trial (ReDIRECT)

Background

The persistence of symptoms for ≥12 weeks after a COVID-19 infection is known as Long COVID (LC), a condition with unclear pathophysiology and no proven treatments to date. Living with obesity is a risk factor for LC and has symptoms which may overlap with and aggravate LC.

Methods

ReDIRECT is a remotely delivered trial assessing whether weight management can reduce LC symptoms. We recruited people with LC and BMI >27kg/m 2. The intervention was delivered remotely by dietitians, with online data collection (medical and dietary history, COVID-19 infection and vaccination, body composition, LC history/symptoms, blood pressure, quality of life, sociodemographic data). Participants self-selected the dominant LC symptoms they most wanted to improve from the intervention.

Results

Participants (n=234) in England (64%) and Scotland (30%) were mainly women (85%) of white ethnicity (90%), with 13% living in the 20% most deprived areas, a mean age of 46 (SD10) years, and median BMI of 35kg/m 2 (IQR 32-40). Before starting the study, 30% reported more than one COVID-19 infection (82% confirmed with one or more positive tests). LC Diagnosis was mainly by GPs (71%), other healthcare professionals (9%), or self-diagnosed (21%). The median total number of symptoms was 6 (IQR 4-8). Self-selected dominant LC symptoms included fatigue (54%), breathlessness (16%), pain (12%), anxiety/depression (1%) and "other" (17%). At baseline, 82% were taking medication, 57% reported 1+ other medical conditions. Quality of life was poor; 20% were on long-term sick leave or reduced working hours. Most (92%) reported having gained weight since contracting COVID-19 (median weight change +11.5 kg, range -11.5 to +45.3 kg).

Conclusions

Symptoms linked to LC and overweight are diverse and complex. Remote trial delivery enabled rapid recruitment across the UK yet certain groups (e.g. men and those from ethnic minority groups) were under-represented.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry ( ISRCTN12595520, 25/11/2021).

Repercussions of Pandemic and Preventive Measures on General Well-Being, Psychological Health, Physical Fitness, and Health Behavior: Mediating Role of Coping Behavior

BACKGROUND

Pandemic prevention measures increased physical inactivity due to travel restrictions that led to negative physical fitness, health behavior, psychological health, and general well-being. The mediating role of coping behavior must be identified before developing interventional strategies for this pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigates the mediating role of coping behavior to mitigate the Coronavirus disease impact on physical fitness, health behavior, psychological health, and general well-being.

METHODS

A web-based survey was used under convenience sampling to collect the primary data. Smart-PLS 3.0 was used to analyze the collected data.

RESULTS

All 14 direct correlations (H1-H14) were correct, and coping behavior's mediating impact was shown to be statistically significant (H9a- H14d).

CONCLUSION

Our study findings indicate that mediating role of coping behavior in mitigating the pandemic impacts was statistically significant. It is concluded that coping behavior is a healthy adaptation to protecting the barrier against COVID-19 adverse effects on health.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Primary School Children in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Association with Parents' Behaviors

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a few studies used accelerometers to assess physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior in the family context. This study aimed to assess children and parents' moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time, as well as their relationship in MVPA and sedentary time. Data were collected from 30 parent-child dyads during the COVID-pandemic for seven days, using a hip-worn accelerometer. Children and parents engaged in 65.6 and 34.6 min/day in MVPA and 442.2 and 427.9 min/day sedentary, respectively. There was no evidence of gender difference in MVPA and sedentary between boys and girls. Male parent spent more time in MVPA than female parents. A total of 50% of children and 53.3% of parents met the recommended PA. Children's MVPA and sedentary time were both correlated with that of their parents. Adjusted linear regression showed that only child MVPA was negatively associated with their parents' MVPA. There is evidence that multi-level interventions involving parents and children are more effective than interventions focusing on a single group. This study also provides evidence to support the link between MVPA and sedentary time between parents and children. Generalization of the findings is difficult due to the bias of self-selection sample.

COVID-19 pandemic and weight gain in American adults: A nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of people in many ways. However, little is known about weight gain in American adults during the pandemic.

AIMS AND METHODS

The purpose of this study was to conduct a national assessment of weight gain in adult Americans after the first year of the pandemic. An online questionnaire was employed to explore perceptions of adults regarding pandemic weight gain and the relationship between weight gain and sociodemographic characteristics, pre-pandemic weight status, and psychological distress. Multiple methods were used to assess the psychometric properties of the questionnaire (i.e., face validity, content validity, and internal consistency reliability testing). Chi-Square tests and logistic regression analysis were used to assess group differences and predictors of weight gain in the study participants.

RESULTS

A total of 3,473 individuals participated in the study with weight changes distributed as: gained weight (48%), remained the same weight (34%), or lost weight (18%). Those who reported being very overweight before the pandemic were most likely to gain weight (65%) versus those who reported being slightly overweight (58%) or normal weight (40%) before the pandemic. Weight gain was statistically significantly higher in those with anxiety (53%), depression (52%), or symptoms of both (52%). The final multiple regression model found that the statistically significant predictors of pandemic weight gain were psychological distress, pre-pandemic weight status, having children at home; and time since last bodyweight check.

CONCLUSIONS

Population health promotion strategies in the pandemic should emphasize stress reduction to help individuals manage body weight and avoid chronic diseases in the future.