Associations of Gender and Household Area with Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior During Total and Partial COVID-19 Lockdowns in Chile: A Study in Adults Aged 18-44 Years.

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic led to various intensities of lockdowns, affecting lifestyles globally. This study investigates the impact of partial versus total lockdown on adult physical activity and sedentary behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from April to October 2020, with 493 participants included in the analysis.

Results: The analysis revealed no significant differences in total physical activity or total sitting time between partial and total lockdown scenarios. However, moderate physical activity significantly decreased during total lockdowns, with more pronounced reductions among females than males. Notably, a positive correlation was found between household area and moderate physical activity, suggesting that larger living spaces may encourage more physical activity. A negative correlation was observed between sitting time and moderate physical activity during both types of lockdown.

Conclusions: Total lockdown conditions were associated with a significant decrease in moderate physical activity, highlighting gender disparities in physical activity responses. Living space size emerged as a crucial factor in maintaining physical activity levels during restricted conditions. This study emphasizes the need to consider environmental and demographic factors in public health strategies during prolonged periods of restricted movement.