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A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Physical Activity during COVID-19 in a Sample of Rural and Non-Rural Participants in the US

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  • Alan M. Beck

    (Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

  • Amanda S. Gilbert

    (Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

  • Dixie D. Duncan

    (Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

  • Eric M. Wiedenman

    (Prevention Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
    Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) pre-COVID-19 was lower in rural areas compared to non-rural areas. The purpose of this study was to determine COVID-19’s impact on PA in rural and non-rural residents. A cross-sectional study consisting of a convenience sample of 278 participants (50% rural, 50% non-rural) from 25 states completed an online survey describing their PA behaviors and perceptions during COVID-19. The global physical activity questionnaire was used to determine PA in various domains and summed to determine if the participant met the PA guidelines. Rural participants had a significantly higher body mass index, lower income, and a lower educational attainment. Conversely, non-rural participants reported more barriers to PA. There was no difference in the perception of COVID-19’s impact on PA, specifically; however, rural participants were significantly less likely to meet cardiorespiratory PA recommendations compared to non-rural participants. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the continued disparity in PA between rural and non-rural residents, despite the supposition of COVID-19 being less impactful in rural areas due to sparse populations. Efforts should be pursued to close the PA gap between rural and non-rural residents.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan M. Beck & Amanda S. Gilbert & Dixie D. Duncan & Eric M. Wiedenman, 2021. "A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Physical Activity during COVID-19 in a Sample of Rural and Non-Rural Participants in the US," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4991-:d:550645
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    1. Jan Wilke & Lisa Mohr & Adam S. Tenforde & Pascal Edouard & Chiara Fossati & Marcela González-Gross & Celso Sánchez Ramírez & Fernando Laiño & Benedict Tan & Julian David Pillay & Fabio Pigozzi & Davi, 2021. "A Pandemic within the Pandemic? Physical Activity Levels Substantially Decreased in Countries Affected by COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, February.
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    2. Sigit D. Arifwidodo & Orana Chandrasiri, 2024. "Neighbourhood Walkability and Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Hélène Charreire & Charlotte Verdot & Fabien Szabo de Edelenyi & Mélanie Deschasaux-Tanguy & Bernard Srour & Nathalie Druesne-Pecollo & Younes Esseddik & Benjamin Allès & Julia Baudry & Valérie Descha, 2022. "Correlates of Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors during the COVID-19 Lockdown in France: The NutriNet-Santé Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Valentin Benzing & Sanaz Nosrat & Alireza Aghababa & Vassilis Barkoukis & Dmitriy Bondarev & Yu-Kai Chang & Boris Cheval & Muhammet Cihat Çiftçi & Hassan M. Elsangedy & Maria Luisa M. Guinto & Zhijian, 2021. "Staying Active under Restrictions: Changes in Type of Physical Exercise during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    5. 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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