IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i5p2558-d756129.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Population Study

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Elvén

    (Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 72123 Vasteras, Sweden)

  • Birgitta Kerstis

    (Division of Caring Sciences, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 72123 Vasteras, Sweden)

  • Jonas Stier

    (Division of Social Work, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 72123 Vasteras, Sweden)

  • Charlotta Hellström

    (Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 72123 Vasteras, Sweden)

  • Petra von Heideken Wågert

    (Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 72123 Vasteras, Sweden)

  • Micael Dahlen

    (Department of Marketing and Strategy, Stockholm School of Economics, 11383 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Daniel Lindberg

    (Division of Social Work, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, 72123 Vasteras, Sweden)

Abstract

Governments have enforced measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 with varying degrees of success, which could affect people’s physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. This study aimed to examine changes in PA levels, types of PA, and sedentary behavior in the Swedish population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations between changed PA levels and demographical and behavioral determinants were also investigated. In December 2020, 1035 individuals (18–79 years old) completed a survey about their PA and sedentary behavior before and during the pandemic. Factors influencing their PA were also explored. Fifty-one percent of the sample reported reduced total PA, 18% had no change, and 31% increased their PA. Overall, organized PA decreased the most and sedentary behavior increased. The youngest and oldest age groups reported the greatest reduction in PA, while middle-aged groups reported the most increased PA. Men reported a larger increase in sedentary behavior than women. Mental and physical capability was associated with change in PA. In conclusion, this study indicates that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the Swedish population have decreased PA levels with a concurrent increase in sedentary behavior, which may have negative health consequences. Interventions are recommended to address both PA and sedentary behavior, specifically to strengthen people’s ability to perform PA and focusing on the youngest and oldest age groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Elvén & Birgitta Kerstis & Jonas Stier & Charlotta Hellström & Petra von Heideken Wågert & Micael Dahlen & Daniel Lindberg, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Population Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2558-:d:756129
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/5/2558/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/5/2558/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Iris A. Lesser & Carl P. Nienhuis, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Behavior and Well-Being of Canadians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Bram Constandt & Erik Thibaut & Veerle De Bosscher & Jeroen Scheerder & Margot Ricour & Annick Willem, 2020. "Exercising in Times of Lockdown: An Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on Levels and Patterns of Exercise among Adults in Belgium," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-10, June.
    3. Kevin Lanza & Casey P. Durand & Melody Alcazar & Sierra Ehlers & Kai Zhang & Harold W. Kohl, 2021. "School Parks as a Community Health Resource: Use of Joint-Use Parks by Children before and during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Frida Eek & Caroline Larsson & Anita Wisén & Eva Ekvall Hansson, 2021. "Self-Perceived Changes in Physical Activity and the Relation to Life Satisfaction and Rated Physical Capacity in Swedish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Adam Runacres & Kelly A. Mackintosh & Rachel L. Knight & Liba Sheeran & Rhys Thatcher & James Shelley & Melitta A. McNarry, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sedentary Time and Behaviour in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-26, October.
    6. 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.
    7. Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro & Ane Arbillaga-Etxarri & Borja Gutiérrez-Santamaría & Aitor Coca, 2020. "Physical Activity Change during COVID-19 Confinement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-10, September.
    8. Micael Dahlen & Helge Thorbjørnsen & Hallgeir Sjåstad & Petra von Heideken Wågert & Charlotta Hellström & Birgitta Kerstis & Daniel Lindberg & Jonas Stier & Maria Elvén, 2021. "Changes in Physical Activity Are Associated with Corresponding Changes in Psychological Well-Being: A Pandemic Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.
    9. Fabian Schwendinger & Elena Pocecco, 2020. "Counteracting Physical Inactivity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Home-Based Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-5, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Agata Wypych-Ślusarska & Natalia Majer & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Ewa Niewiadomska, 2023. "Active and Happy? Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction among Young Educated Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Daniel Lindberg & Maria Elvén & Kent W. Nilsson & Petra Von Heideken Wågert & Jonas Stier & Micael Dahlen & Birgitta Kerstis, 2023. "How Have Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, Changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Swedish Repeated Cross-Sectional Design Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Chunguang Liu & Xinyu Zuo & Xiaoning Gu & Mengru Shao & Chao Chen, 2023. "Activity Duration under the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis among Different Urbanized Areas Using a Hazard-Based Duration Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-28, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kele Ding & Jingzhen Yang & Ming-Kai Chin & Lindsay Sullivan & J. Larry Durstine & Verónica Violant-Holz & Giyasettin Demirhan & Nara R.C. Oliveira & Biljana Popeska & Garry Kuan & Waheeda Khan & Jian, 2021. "Physical Activity among Adults Residing in 11 Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, July.
    2. 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.
    3. Mateusz Ciski & Krzysztof Rząsa, 2023. "Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression in the Investigation of Local COVID-19 Anomalies Based on Population Age Structure in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Micael Dahlen & Helge Thorbjørnsen & Hallgeir Sjåstad & Petra von Heideken Wågert & Charlotta Hellström & Birgitta Kerstis & Daniel Lindberg & Jonas Stier & Maria Elvén, 2021. "Changes in Physical Activity Are Associated with Corresponding Changes in Psychological Well-Being: A Pandemic Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.
    5. Daniel Lindberg & Maria Elvén & Kent W. Nilsson & Petra Von Heideken Wågert & Jonas Stier & Micael Dahlen & Birgitta Kerstis, 2023. "How Have Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, Changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Swedish Repeated Cross-Sectional Design Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    6. 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.
    7. Teresa Rubio-Tomás & Maria Skouroliakou & Dimitrios Ntountaniotis, 2022. "Lockdown Due to COVID-19 and Its Consequences on Diet, Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Other Aspects of Daily Life Worldwide: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-41, June.
    8. Tiia Kekäläinen & Enni-Maria Hietavala & Matti Hakamäki & Sarianna Sipilä & Eija K. Laakkonen & Katja Kokko, 2021. "Personality Traits and Changes in Health Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis from Pre-pandemic to Onset and End of the Initial Emergency Conditions ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.
    9. Lilian Krist & Christina Dornquast & Thomas Reinhold & Katja Icke & Ina Danquah & Stefan N. Willich & Heiko Becher & Thomas Keil, 2021. "Predictors of Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Turkish Migrant Cohort in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
    10. Tara Zeitoun & Audrey Plante & Catherine M. Sabiston & Mélanie Dieudé & Isabelle Doré, 2023. "The Association between Change in Lifestyle Behaviors and Mental Health Indicators in Immunosuppressed Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, January.
    11. Chen Liao & Liying Nong & Yu-Feng Wu & Yu-Tai Wu & Jian-Hong Ye, 2023. "The Relationships between University Students’ Physical Activity Needs, Involvement, Flow Experience and Sustainable Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, May.
    12. Jeong-Hui Park & Eunhye Yoo & Youngdeok Kim & Jung-Min Lee, 2021. "What Happened Pre- and during COVID-19 in South Korea? Comparing Physical Activity, Sleep Time, and Body Weight Status," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.
    13. Raquel Lara & Martha Fernández-Daza & Sara Zabarain-Cogollo & María Angustias Olivencia-Carrión & Manuel Jiménez-Torres & María Demelza Olivencia-Carrión & Adelaida Ogallar-Blanco & Débora Godoy-Izqui, 2021. "Active Coping and Anxiety Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spanish Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    14. Victoria Blom & Amanda Lönn & Björn Ekblom & Lena V. Kallings & Daniel Väisänen & Erik Hemmingsson & Gunnar Andersson & Peter Wallin & Andreas Stenling & Örjan Ekblom & Magnus Lindwall & Jane Salier E, 2021. "Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-19, March.
    15. David Jungwirth & Daniela Haluza, 2023. "Sports and the Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Active Living and Life Satisfaction of Climbers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    16. Eui-Jae Lee & Dong-il Seo & Seung-Man Lee & Jong-Hyuck Kim, 2022. "Changes in Physical Fitness among Elementary and Middle School Students in Korea before and after COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    17. Haleama Al Sabbah & Zainab Taha & Radwan Qasrawi & Enas A. Assaf & Leila Cheikh Ismail & Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri & Maha Hoteit & Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh & Reema Tayyem & Hiba Bawadi & Majid AlKhalaf & Khlood B, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical (In)Activity Behavior in 10 Arab Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.
    18. Xiangyou Shen & Megan MacDonald & Samuel W. Logan & Colby Parkinson & Lydia Gorrell & Bridget E. Hatfield, 2022. "Leisure Engagement during COVID-19 and Its Association with Mental Health and Wellbeing in U.S. Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    19. Tadeusz Ambroży & Łukasz Rydzik & Zbigniew Obmiński & Andrzej T. Klimek & Natalia Serafin & Artur Litwiniuk & Robert Czaja & Wojciech Czarny, 2021. "The Impact of Reduced Training Activity of Elite Kickboxers on Physical Fitness, Body Build, and Performance during Competitions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
    20. Pascale Marceau & Frank Pons, 2022. "COVID-19: Physical Activity Behavior Change among Athletes in Québec (Canada)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2558-:d:756129. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.