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How Have Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, Changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Swedish Repeated Cross-Sectional Design Study

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Lindberg

    (Division of Social Work, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-72134 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Maria Elvén

    (Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-72134 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Kent W. Nilsson

    (Center for Clinical Research, Central Hospital of Västerås, Uppsala University, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden
    Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-72134 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Petra Von Heideken Wågert

    (Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-72134 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Jonas Stier

    (Division of Social Work, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-72134 Västerås, Sweden)

  • Micael Dahlen

    (Department of Marketing and Strategy, Stockholm School of Economics, SE-11383 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Birgitta Kerstis

    (Division of Caring Sciences, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-72134 Västerås, Sweden)

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) affect people’s physical and mental health. The aim was to examine changes in PA and SB in a Swedish population: at three time points: 2019, 2020, and 2022, i.e., before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-pandemic PA and SB, i.e., 2019, were assessed retrospectively in 2020. Associations between PA and SB with sex, age, occupation, COVID-19 history, weight change, health, and life satisfaction were also examined. The design was repeated cross-sectionally. The main findings demonstrate the PA levels decreased between 2019 and 2020, and between 2019 and 2022, but not between 2020 and 2022. The SB increase was most evident between 2019 and 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, results showed a decrease in SB, but SB did not reach pre-pandemic levels. Both sexes decreased their PA over time. Although men reported more PA sex, they did not have any association with PA changes. Two age groups, 19–29 years and 65–79 years, decreased their PA over time. Both PA and SB were associated with COVID-19, occupation, age, life satisfaction, health, and weight change. This study underlines the importance of monitoring changes in PA and SB as they have relevance for health and well-being. There is a risk that the levels of PA and SB do not return to pre-pandemic levels in the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Lindberg & Maria Elvén & Kent W. Nilsson & Petra Von Heideken Wågert & Jonas Stier & Micael Dahlen & Birgitta Kerstis, 2023. "How Have Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, Changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Swedish Repeated Cross-Sectional Design Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3642-:d:1072883
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Frida Eek & Caroline Larsson & Anita Wisén & Eva Ekvall Hansson, 2021. "Self-Perceived Changes in Physical Activity and the Relation to Life Satisfaction and Rated Physical Capacity in Swedish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro & Ane Arbillaga-Etxarri & Borja Gutiérrez-Santamaría & Aitor Coca, 2020. "Physical Activity Change during COVID-19 Confinement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-10, September.
    3. Gergely Ráthonyi & Karolina Kósa & Zoltán Bács & Kinga Ráthonyi-Ódor & István Füzesi & Péter Lengyel & Éva Bácsné Bába, 2021. "Changes in Workers’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-25, August.
    4. Amanda L. Folk & Brooke E. Wagner & Samantha L. Hahn & Nicole Larson & Daheia J. Barr-Anderson & Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, 2021. "Changes to Physical Activity during a Global Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Analysis among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults in the U.S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, April.
    5. Micael Dahlen & Helge Thorbjørnsen & Hallgeir Sjåstad & Petra von Heideken Wågert & Charlotta Hellström & Birgitta Kerstis & Daniel Lindberg & Jonas Stier & Maria Elvén, 2021. "Changes in Physical Activity Are Associated with Corresponding Changes in Psychological Well-Being: A Pandemic Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.
    6. Maria Elvén & Birgitta Kerstis & Jonas Stier & Charlotta Hellström & Petra von Heideken Wågert & Micael Dahlen & Daniel Lindberg, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Population Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Kathrin Wunsch & Korbinian Kienberger & Claudia Niessner, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity Patterns Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-48, February.
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