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Use of Digital Media for Home-Based Sports Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the German SPOVID Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Mutz

    (Institute of Sport Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kugelberg 62, 35394 Giessen, Germany)

  • Johannes Müller

    (Institute of Sport Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kugelberg 62, 35394 Giessen, Germany)

  • Anne K. Reimers

    (Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Gebbertstrasse 123b, 91058 Erlangen, Germany)

Abstract

Health authorities recommend digital tools for home-based sport and exercise routines to stay active and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigates the prevalence, duration, most popular activities, and social selectivity of home-based digital sport and its contribution to overall levels of sporting activity during the pandemic. It is based on cross-sectional survey data ( n = 1508), representing the population >14 years living in Germany. Data collection took place in October 2020, using computer-assisted web interviewing. Results show that overall, 23% of respondents used digital media for sports activities at least one time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Numbers increased during the lockdown and decreased afterwards. People engaged in a variety of fitness workouts, most frequently practiced with the help of publicly accessible fitness videos from video-sharing platforms. Digital sports practitioners are younger, better educated, and financially better off. Females are overrepresented. Individuals engaged in digital sports achieved 30 min/week more sports activity during the pandemic compared to individuals solely involved in offline sports. Hence, home-based digital sports activities were a popular means to stay active, particularly in the period of the lockdown. Strong social disparities indicate that the possible health benefits of digital sports only reach out to particular population groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Mutz & Johannes Müller & Anne K. Reimers, 2021. "Use of Digital Media for Home-Based Sports Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the German SPOVID Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4409-:d:540388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jacqueline Ruth & Steffen Willwacher & Oliver Korn, 2022. "Acceptance of Digital Sports: A Study Showing the Rising Acceptance of Digital Health Activities Due to the SARS-CoV-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Kobe Helsen & Mark Janssen & Steven Vos & Jeroen Scheerder, 2022. "Two of a Kind? Similarities and Differences between Runners and Walkers in Sociodemographic Characteristics, Sports Related Characteristics and Wearable Usage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Tadashi Ito & Hideshi Sugiura & Yuji Ito & Koji Noritake & Nobuhiko Ochi, 2021. "Effect of the COVID-19 Emergency on Physical Function among School-Aged Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-9, September.
    4. Eszter Füzéki & Jan Schröder & Rüdiger Reer & David A. Groneberg & Winfried Banzer, 2022. "Going Online?—Can Online Exercise Classes during COVID-19-Related Lockdowns Replace in-Person Offers?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.

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