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Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Charlotte Roche

    (UCL Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Abigail Fisher

    (UCL Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Daisy Fancourt

    (UCL Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

  • Alexandra Burton

    (UCL Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

Abstract

Quantitative data show that physical activity (PA) reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with differential impacts across demographic groups. Qualitative research is limited; thus, this study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators to PA during the pandemic, focusing on groups more likely to have been affected by restrictions, and to map these onto the capability, opportunity, motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). One-to-one interviews were conducted with younger (aged 18–24) and older adults (aged 70+), those with long-term physical or mental health conditions, and parents of young children. Themes were identified using reflexive thematic analysis and were mapped onto COM-B domains. A total of 116 participants contributed (aged 18–93, 61% female, 71% White British). Key themes were the importance of the outdoor environment, impact of COVID-19 restrictions, fear of contracting COVID-19, and level of engagement with home exercise. Caring responsibilities and conflicting priorities were a barrier. PA as a method of socialising, establishing new routines, and the importance of PA for protecting mental health were motivators. Most themes mapped onto the physical opportunity (environmental factors) and reflective motivation (evaluations/plans) COM-B domains. Future interventions should target these domains during pandemics (e.g., adapting PA guidance depending on location and giving education on the health benefits of PA).

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Roche & Abigail Fisher & Daisy Fancourt & Alexandra Burton, 2022. "Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-16, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9169-:d:873171
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yao Zhang & Haoyu Zhang & Xindong Ma & Qian Di, 2020. "Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemics and the Mitigation Effects of Exercise: A Longitudinal Study of College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Patrick Klaiber & Jin H Wen & Anita DeLongis & Nancy L Sin & Derek M Isaacowitz, 2021. "The Ups and Downs of Daily Life During COVID-19: Age Differences in Affect, Stress, and Positive Events," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 30-37.
    3. Matthew J. Savage & Philip J. Hennis & Daniele Magistro & James Donaldson & Laura C. Healy & Ruth M. James, 2021. "Nine Months into the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study Showing Mental Health and Movement Behaviours Are Impaired in UK Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.
    4. Andy Pringle & Nicky Kime & Stephen Zwolinsky & Zoe Rutherford & Clare M. P. Roscoe, 2022. "An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Rachel L. Knight & Melitta A. McNarry & Liba Sheeran & Adam W. Runacres & Rhys Thatcher & James Shelley & Kelly A. Mackintosh, 2021. "Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19—An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eric Yee & Changhwa Jung & Derrick Cheriberi & Minjune Choi & Wonsick Park, 2022. "Impacts of Transitioning to an Online Curriculum at a Graduate School in South Korea Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Verity Hailey & Alexandra Burton & Mark Hamer & Daisy Fancourt & Abigail Fisher, 2022. "Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK: A Qualitative Analysis of Free-Text Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.

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