COVID-19 and (the health-related promotion of) physical activity. The situation before, during and after the pandemic

Building on the sociological discussion of sports and its reflections through Luhmann’s systems theory, this article explores the question: ‘How has the (health-related) promotion of physical activity been perceived before/during/after the COVID-19 pandemic?’ Our findings reveal differences across the three periods studied: (1) before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (2018–2020), physical activity was generally perceived, inter alia, as a means to prevent chronic illness. Despite being driven by different logics, both the sport and health systems competed in promoting physical activity. (2) During the height of the pandemic (2020–2022), most forms of physical activity were considered potential vectors for spreading the virus. While the health system prioritized pandemic control, the sports system faced significant limitations in engaging the population. (3) In the post-pandemic years 2022–2024, while a societal shift re-established the pre-pandemic status quo, several social changes become integral to our daily life. These changes present both risks and opportunities for physical activity. If the previously systemic coupling between the sports and health systems fails to re-consolidate, there may be an increased need for individual initiative and new inter-systemic interactions to keep people physically active. The conclusions highlight this issue as part of rising social inequality.