RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Self-reported physical activity before a COVID-19 ‘lockdown’: is it just a matter of opinion?
JF BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
JO BMJ OPEN SP EX MED
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e001088
DO 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001088
VO 7
IS 2
A1 Troy J Cross
A1 Jennifer M J Isautier
A1 Emmanuel Stamatakis
A1 Sarah Jane Morris
A1 Bruce D Johnson
A1 Courtney Wheatley-Guy
A1 Bryan J Taylor
YR 2021
UL http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/7/2/e001088.abstract
AB There are growing concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated a sedentary shift in our physical activity habits. A reduction in physical activity during the pandemic may be secondary to restrictive policies implemented at the government-level, typically those policies which limit interpersonal contact; for example, physical/social distancing. It is without question that social distancing is a necessary measure to mitigate community transmission of the novel virus; however, these policies often limit the public’s opportunities to engage in physical activity. The strictest enforcement of social distancing occurs during an authority-mandated ‘lockdown’ (also known as a ‘shelter-in-place’ or ‘stay-at-home’ order). This Viewpoint focuses on the current evidence demonstrating that physical activity declines during a COVID-19 ‘lockdown’. We highlight the point that most of the available evidence stems from investigations using non-validated, self-reported measures of physical activity and discuss the caveats therewith. This Viewpoint explores whether current evidence reflects an ‘actual’ or rather a ‘perceived’ reduction in physical activity, and raises the question of whether this distinction matters in the end.