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The Impact of COVID-19 on Maintaining Physical Activity and Its Associated Factors among Medical Students

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed M. Wafi

    (Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Amani A. Mosleh

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Amani A. Mutaen

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Dalal F. Hakami

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Rawdah A. Baeshen

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Shahad A. Rajhi

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Joud M. Alamri

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ahmad Y. Alqassim

    (Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Background. Stay-home orders and the shutdown of university campuses and fitness centers have greatly influenced health behaviors, resulting in a widespread reduction in physical activity. This study aimed to identify factors associated with maintaining physical activity among Jazan University medical students during the COVID-19 shutdown. Methods. An official Arabic short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity before and during the COVID-19 home quarantine. Differences between groups were examined using chi-square analyses and the Mann–Whitney U test. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test whether certain demographic and exercise-related variables were significant predictors of maintaining physical activity levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. More than half of the participants (53%) reported no change or increased physical activity level. Several factors were significantly related to physical activity heterogeneity including income (p = 0.04), fitness center membership ( p < 0.01), usage of fitness tracker devices (p < 0.01), and the purchase of physical activity equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.01). The odds of maintaining physical activity were higher among those who tracked their physical activity (AOR = 6.160; 95% CI = 3.782–10.032, p < 0.001). Similarly, the odds of maintaining physical activity were higher among those who purchased home-exercise equipment during the pandemic (AOR = 2.243; 95% CI = 1.386–3.632, p = 0.001). Conclusions. Understanding the factors affecting physical activity behaviors is an essential step toward addressing the reduction in physical activity. This could help maintain physical activity levels during a potential future pandemic-related shutdown.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed M. Wafi & Amani A. Mosleh & Amani A. Mutaen & Dalal F. Hakami & Rawdah A. Baeshen & Shahad A. Rajhi & Joud M. Alamri & Ahmad Y. Alqassim, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Maintaining Physical Activity and Its Associated Factors among Medical Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15752-:d:985076
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gregory Knell & Michael C. Robertson & Erin E. Dooley & Katie Burford & Karla S. Mendez, 2020. "Health Behavior Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic and Subsequent “Stay-at-Home” Orders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
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    4. Jacob Meyer & Cillian McDowell & Jeni Lansing & Cassandra Brower & Lee Smith & Mark Tully & Matthew Herring, 2020. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
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