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Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Spanish University Students: Role of Gender

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Rodríguez-Larrad

    (AgeingOn Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Asier Mañas

    (GENUD Toledo Research Group, Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
    CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Idoia Labayen

    (Department of Health Sciences, Institute for Innovation & Sustainable Development in Food Chain (IS-FOOD), Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Public University of Navarra, Campus de Arrosadía, 31006 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Marcela González-Gross

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ander Espin

    (AgeingOn Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Susana Aznar

    (PAFS Research Group, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain)

  • José Antonio Serrano-Sánchez

    (Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
    Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)

  • Francisco J. Vera-Garcia

    (Sports Research Centre, Department of Sport Sciences, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Domingo González-Lamuño

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain)

  • Ignacio Ara

    (GENUD Toledo Research Group, Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
    CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Luis Carrasco-Páez

    (Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Seville, 41013 Sevilla, Spain)

  • José Castro-Piñero

    (GALENO Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
    Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA) Research Unit, 11009 Cádiz, Spain)

  • Mari Carmen Gómez-Cabrera

    (Freshage Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
    CIBERFES, Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico Universitario/INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • Sara Márquez

    (Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain)

  • Josep A. Tur

    (Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Fundamental Biology and Health Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands, IDISBA & CIBEROBN, 07122 Palma, Spain)

  • Narcis Gusi

    (Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Pedro J. Benito

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Diego Moliner-Urdiales

    (LIFE Research Group, Department of Education and Specific Didactics, University Jaume I, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain)

  • Jonatan R. Ruiz

    (PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Francisco B. Ortega

    (PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • David Jiménez-Pavón

    (Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA) Research Unit, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
    MOVE-IT Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain)

  • José Antonio Casajús

    (Department of Physiatry and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Jon Irazusta

    (AgeingOn Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to prevent the expansion of the disease. Spain was one of the countries with the strictest conditions, as outdoor physical activity was banned for nearly two months. This study aimed to analyse the changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Spanish university students before and during the confinement by COVID-19 with special focus on gender. We also analysed enjoyment, the tools used and motivation and impediments for doing physical activity. An online questionnaire, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and certain “ad hoc” questions, was designed. Students were recruited by distributing an invitation through the administrative channels of 16 universities and a total of 13,754 valid surveys were collected. Overall, university students reduced moderate (−29.5%) and vigorous (−18.3%) physical activity during the confinement and increased sedentary time (+52.7%). However, they spent more time on high intensity interval training (HIIT) (+18.2%) and mind-body activities (e.g., yoga) (+80.0%). Adaptation to the confinement, in terms of physical activity, was handled better by women than by men. These results will help design strategies for each gender to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour during confinement periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Rodríguez-Larrad & Asier Mañas & Idoia Labayen & Marcela González-Gross & Ander Espin & Susana Aznar & José Antonio Serrano-Sánchez & Francisco J. Vera-Garcia & Domingo González-Lamuño & Ignacio A, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Spanish University Students: Role of Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:369-:d:475388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Damir Sekulic & Mateo Blazevic & Barbara Gilic & Ivan Kvesic & Natasa Zenic, 2020. "Prospective Analysis of Levels and Correlates of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Rules of Social Distancing; Gender Specific Study among Adolescents from Southern Croatia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Stefano Ferracuti & Osvalda De Giglio & Giuseppina Caggiano & Carmela Protano & Federica Valeriani & Eduardo Alfonso Parisi & Giuliana Valerio & Giorgio Liguori , 2020. "Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity of Italian Undergraduate Students during Lockdown at the Time of CoViD−19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
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