Studies of Physical Activity and COVID-19 During the Pandemic: A Scoping Review

in Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Click name to view affiliation

Eduardo L. Caputo
Search for other papers by Eduardo L. Caputo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
Felipe F. Reichert
Search for other papers by Felipe F. Reichert in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0406
Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemic; exercise
First Published Online:
03 Nov 2020
In Print:
Volume 17: Issue 12
Page Range:
1275–1284
Restricted access

Background: This scoping review aimed to identify the available evidence related to physical activity (PA) and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A search in 6 databases (PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL) was conducted on July 23, 2020. Medical subject headings and keywords related to PA and COVID-19 were combined to conduct the online search, which covered the period from January to July 2020. Results: Overall, 1784 articles were retrieved. After duplicate removal and title, abstract, and full-text screening, 41 articles were included. Most of the included studies were quantitative and collected data through online interviews/questionnaires, with sample sizes larger than 100 and composed by adults and older adults. Changes in PA levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic were the most assessed outcome, followed by the association between mental health issues and PA. Only 2 studies assessed the direct effects of PA on COVID-19. Conclusion: Most of the evidence identified a decrease in PA levels due to social distancing measures and that PA might help to decrease the mental health burden related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Caputo and Reichert are with the Physical Activity Epidemiology Study Group and Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Caputo (caputoeduardo@yahoo.com.br) is corresponding author.

Supplementary Materials

    • Supplementary Material 1 (PDF 37 KB)
  • Collapse
  • Expand

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Cover Journal of Physical Activity and Health
  • 1.

    WHO. Statement on the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) [Internet]. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov). Cited July 30, 2020.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Wilder-Smith A, Freedman DO. Isolation, quarantine, social distancing and community containment: pivotal role for old-style public health measures in the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. J Travel Med. 2020;27(2):1–4.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Islam N, Sharp SJ, Chowell G, et al. Physical distancing interventions and incidence of coronavirus disease 2019: natural experiment in 149 countries. BMJ. 2020;370:1–10.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Feter N, Caputo EL, Doring IR, et al. Longitudinal study about low back pain, mental health, and access to healthcare system during COVID-19 pandemic: protocol of an ambispective cohort. medRxiv. 2020.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Lippi G, Henry BM, Bovo C, Sanchis-Gomar F. Health risks and potential remedies during prolonged lockdowns for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Diagnosis. 2020;7(2):85–90.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Warburton DER, Bredin SSD. Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review of current systematic reviews. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2017;32(5):541–56.

  • 7.

    Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body’s defense system. J Sport Health Sci. 2019;8(3):201–217.

  • 8.

    ACSM. Staying Active During the Coronavirus Pandemic [Internet]. 2020. https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/assets/page_documents/EIM_Rx for Health_ Staying Active During Coronavirus Pandemic.pdf. Cited June 2, 2020.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Cavalcanti AB, Zampieri FG, Rosa RG, et al. Hydroxychloroquine with or without Azithromycin in mild-to-moderate Covid-19 . N Engl J Med. 2020;1–12.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Jackson LA, Anderson EJ, Rouphael NG, et al. An mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2—Preliminary report. N Engl J Med. 2020;1–12.

  • 11.

    Cummings MJ, Baldwin MR, Abrams D, et al. Epidemiology, clinical course, and outcomes of critically ill adults with COVID-19 in New York City: a prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10239):1763–1770.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    Banerjee A, Pasea L, Harris S, et al. Estimating excess 1-year mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic according to underlying conditions and age: a population-based cohort study. Lancet. 2020;395(10238):1715–1725.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Rodriguez-Ayllon M, Cadenas-Sanchez C, Estevez-Lopez F, et al. Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2019;49(9):1383–1410.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, et al. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(7):467–473.

  • 15.

    Peters MDJ. In no uncertain terms: the importance of a defined objective in scoping reviews. JBI Database Syst Rev Implement Reports. 2016;14(2):1–4.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Antunes R, Frontini R, Amaro N, et al. Exploring lifestyle habits, physical activity, anxiety and basic psychological needs in a sample of Portuguese adults during COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(12):1–13.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    Assaloni R, Pellino VC, Puci M V, et al. Coronavirus disease (Covid-19): how does the exercise practice in active people with Type 1 diabetes change? A preliminary survey. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2020;166:108297.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Constandt B, Thibaut E, De Bosscher V, Scheerder J, Ricour M, Willem A. Exercising in times of lockdown: an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on levels and patterns of exercise among adults in Belgium. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):1–10.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19.

    Di Renzo L, Gualtieri P, Pivari F, et al. Eating habits and lifestyle changes during COVID-19 lockdown: an Italian survey. J Transl Med. 2020;18(1):229.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    Di Stefano V, Battaglia G, Giustino V, et al. Significant reduction of physical activity in patients with neuromuscular disease during COVID-19 pandemic. J Neurol. 2020;1–7.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    Esentürk OK, Esenturk OK. Parents’ perceptions on physical activity for their children with autism spectrum disorders during the novel Coronavirus outbreak. Int J Dev Disabil. 2020;1–12.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 22.

    Giustino V, Parroco AM, Gennaro A, Musumeci G, Palma A, Battaglia G. Physical activity levels and related energy expenditure during COVID-19 Quarantine among the Sicilian active population: a cross-sectional online survey study. Sustainability. 2020;12(11):4356.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Goethals L, Barth N, Guyot J, Hupin D, Celarier T, Bongue B. Impact of home quarantine on physical activity among older adults living at home during the covid-19 pandemic: qualitative interview study. JMIR Aging 2020;3(1):e19007.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Hamer M, Kivimaki M, Gale CR, Batty GD. Lifestyle risk factors, inflammatory mechanisms, and COVID-19 hospitalization: a community-based cohort study of 387,109 adults in UK. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;87:184–187.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 25.

    Maugeri G, Castrogiovanni P, Battaglia G, et al. The impact of physical activity on psychological health during Covid-19 pandemic in Italy. Heliyon. 2020;6(6 ):e04315.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Mutz M, Gerke M. Sport and exercise in times of self-quarantine: how Germans changed their behaviour at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Int Rev Sociol Sport. 2020.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 27.

    Pieh C, Budimir S, Probst T. The effect of age, gender, income, work, and physical activity on mental health during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown in Austria. J Psychosom Res. 2020;136:110186.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 28.

    Pietrobelli A, Pecoraro L, Ferruzzi A, et al. Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle behaviors in children with obesity living in Verona, Italy: a longitudinal study. Obesity. 2020;28:1382–1385.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 29.

    Sekulic D, Blazevic M, Gilic B, Kvesic I, Zenic N. 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. Sustain. 2020;12(10):4072.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 30.

    Smith L, Jacob L, Butler L, et al. Prevalence and correlates of physical activity in a sample of UK adults observing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):e000850.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 31.

    Tornese G, Ceconi V, Monasta L, Carletti C, Faleschini E, Barbi E. Glycemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus during COVID-19 quarantine and the role of in-home physical activity. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2020.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 32.

    Vetrovsky T, Frybova T, Gant I, et al. The detrimental effect of COVID-19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer-assessed physical activity of heart failure patients. ESC Heart Failure. 2020;7:2093–2097.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 33.

    Zenic N, Taiar R, Gilic B, et al. Levels and changes of physical activity in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: contextualizing urban vs. rural living environment. Appl Sci. 2020;10(11):1–14.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 34.

    Almandoz JP, Xie L, Schellinger JN, et al. Impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders on weight-related behaviors among patients with obesity. Clin Obes. 2020;e12386.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 35.

    Bourassa KJ, Sbarra DA, Caspi A, Moffitt TE. Social distancing as a health behavior: county-level movement in the united states during the covid-19 pandemic is associated with conventional health behaviors. Ann Behav Med. 2020.1–9.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 36.

    Ellis WE, Dumas TM, Forbes LM. Physically isolated but socially connected: psychological adjustment and stress among adolescents during the initial COVID-19 crisis. Can J Behav Sci. 2020;52(3):177–187.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 37.

    Gomes CM, Favorito LA, Henriques JVT, et al. Impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists. Int Braz J Urol. 2020;46.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 38.

    Guerrero MD, Vanderloo LM, Rhodes RE, Faulkner G, Moore SA, Tremblay MS. Canadian children’s and youth’s adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic: a decision tree analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2020.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 39.

    Hemphill NM, Kuan MT, Harris KC. Reduced physical activity during covid-19 pandemic in children with congenital heart disease. Can J Cardiol. 2020;36(7):1130–1134.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 40.

    Huckins JF, daSilva AW, Wang W, et al. Mental health and behavior of college students during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal smartphone and ecological momentary assessment study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(6):e20185.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 41.

    Lesser IA, Nienhuis CP. The impact of COVID-19 on physical activity behavior and well-being of Canadians. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):3899.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 42.

    Middleton A, Simpson KN, Bettger JP, Bowden MG. COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: considerations and costs of telehealth exercise programs for older adults with functional impairments living at home-lessons learned from a pilot case study. Phys Ther. 2020;pzaa089.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 43.

    Choi C, Bum C-H. Changes in the type of sports activity due to COVID-19: Hypochondriasis and the intention of continuous participation in sports. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(13):1–11.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 44.

    Ghosal S, Arora B, Dutta K, et al. Increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes during lockdown for the COVID19 pandemic in India: a cohort analysis. Diabetes Metab Syndr Clin Res Rev. 2020;14(5):949–952.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 45.

    He M, Xian Y, Lv X, et al. Changes in body weight, physical activity and lifestyle during the semi-lockdown period after the outbreak of COVID-19 in China: an online survey. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020:1–6.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 46.

    Mukaino M, Tatemoto T, Kumazawa N, et al. Staying active in isolation: telerehabilitation for individuals with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020;99(6):478–479.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 47.

    Park S, Kim B, Lee J. Social distancing and outdoor physical activity during the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea: implications for physical distancing strategies. [published online ahead of print July 11, 2020]. Asia-Pac J Public Health. 2020. PubMed ID: 32667221 doi:10.1177/1010539520940929

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 48.

    Zhang Y, Zhang H, Ma X, et al. Mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemics and the mitigation effects of exercise: a longitudinal study of college students in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(10):3722.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 49.

    Yamada M, Kimura Y, Ishiyama D, et al. Effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on physical activity in community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional online survey [published online ahead of print June 23, 2020]. J Nutr Health Aging. 2020;1–3.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 50.

    Gallo LA, Gallo TF, Young SL, Moritz KM, Akison LK. The impact of isolation measures due to COVID-19 on energy intake and physical activity levels in Australian university students. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1865.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 51.

    Phillipou A, Meyer D, Neill E, et al. Eating and exercise behaviors in eating disorders and the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: initial results from the COLLATE project. Int J Eat Disord. 2020;53(7):1158–1165.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 52.

    Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19: associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):1–13.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 53.

    Pillay L, Janse van Rensburg DCC, Jansen van Rensburg A, et al. Nowhere to hide: the significant impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures on elite and semi-elite South African athletes. J Sci Med Sport. 2020;23(7):670–679.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 54.

    Shalash A, Roushdy T, Essam M, et al. Mental health, physical activity and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease during COVID-19 pandemic. Mov Disord. 2020.

  • 55.

    Pépin JL, Bruno RM, Yang R-Y, et al. Wearable activity trackers for monitoring adherence to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide: data aggregation and analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(6):e19787.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 56.

    Ammar A, Brach M, Trabelsi K, et al. Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behaviour and physical activity: results of the ECLB-COVID19 international online survey. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1583.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 57.

    Pascoe M, Bailey AP, Craike M, et al. Physical activity and exercise in youth mental health promotion: a scoping review. BMJ Open Sp Ex Med. 2020;6(1):677.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 58.

    Lee IM, Shiroma EJ, Lobelo F, et al. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. Lancet. 2012;380(9838):219–229.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 59.

    Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet Glob Health. 2018;6(10):e1077–e1086.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 60.

    Eirale C, Bisciotti G, Corsini A, Baudot C, Saillant G, Chalabi H. Medical recommendations for home-confined footballers’ training during the COVID-19 pandemic: from evidence to practical application. Biol Sport. 2020;37(2):203–207.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 61.

    Stokes KA, Jones B, Bennett M, et al. Returning to play after prolonged training restrictions in professional collision sports [published online ahead of print May 29, 2020]. Int J Sports Med.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 27073 4660 246
Full Text Views 829 155 5
PDF Downloads 724 135 5