Virtual training with real-life benefits: A survey investigating online fitness communities during lockdown level 5 in South Africa

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government enforced a strict lockdown during March and April 2020. Strategies to assist people with maintaining physical activity (PA) became important, and online fitness communities (OFC) offered virtual assistance. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of participating in OFC on physical and mental health during lockdown level 5 in South Africa. The study utilised an online survey which included the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire. Participants maintained PA before and during lockdown (n=335; p=0.5). However, significant declines in PA were reported for those who did not find an OFC helpful in achieving exercise goals (p=0.004), nor motivating in pursuing fitness (p=0.001), and not helpful in alleviating perceived feelings of depression and/or anxiety (p=0.001). Participants who indicated that lockdown positively impacted motivation and that OFC were motivating in achieving fitness goals showed a significant improvement in PA (p=0.003). The proven effectiveness of OFC should encourage all health and fitness practitioners to integrate them for current and future use.