Physical Activity in a University Community Before and After a COVID-19 Shutdown
Faculty Advisor Name
Dr. Trent A. Hargens
Department
Department of Kinesiology
Description
BACKGROUND: Achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA) is important for achieving and maintaining health. Recent guidelines state that any amount of PA has positive effects. With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the transition to remote teaching and learning, as well as changes to the daily work routine of university staff, overall PA levels were likely impacted. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a significant change in PA occurred before and after one university transitioned to remote learning. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from the James Madison University (JMU) community who owned and wore a commercial physical activity (PA) monitoring device for 30 days prior to the JMU spring break in March 2020, as well as 30 days after. During the JMU spring break, the campus went from in-person instruction to 100% online instruction. Subjects completed an anonymous online survey and input uploaded step data from their online account. Paired sample t-tests were utilized to examine differences before and after JMU spring break. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects (age = 42.6 ± 11.8, BMI = 28.9 ± 7.1, 20 female, 8 male) completed the survey. Sample included 4 students, 23 staff and faculty, and 1 family member of a JMU student. The 7-day step average for the week before spring break (8200.2 ± 3243.4) was higher than the 7-day step average for the week after spring break (6864.5 ± 3619.7, P = 0.006). There was a trend for a higher 30-day mean step average before spring break (8085.4 ± 2965.6) vs. after (7474.9 ± 3888.2, P = 0.08). Weekday step averages were higher before spring break (8093.5 ± 2854.5) vs. after (7195.3 ± 3695.2, P = 0.03). Weekend step average did not differ between time points (8153.3 ± 3850.4 vs. 8214.9 ± 4823.3, for before and after break, respectively, P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Results found that physical activity levels were altered after stay-at-home orders took effect. Overall PA declined the week after spring break, with weekday steps being impacted most negatively for the month following. This change is likely a reflection of the significant amount of everyday transport PA that is needed to navigate daily life on a university campus (walking to class, to work, walking associated with job duties, etc.) that was removed due to stay-at-home orders. Weekend PA did not differ, as daily routines were likely more stable.
Physical Activity in a University Community Before and After a COVID-19 Shutdown
BACKGROUND: Achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA) is important for achieving and maintaining health. Recent guidelines state that any amount of PA has positive effects. With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the transition to remote teaching and learning, as well as changes to the daily work routine of university staff, overall PA levels were likely impacted. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a significant change in PA occurred before and after one university transitioned to remote learning. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from the James Madison University (JMU) community who owned and wore a commercial physical activity (PA) monitoring device for 30 days prior to the JMU spring break in March 2020, as well as 30 days after. During the JMU spring break, the campus went from in-person instruction to 100% online instruction. Subjects completed an anonymous online survey and input uploaded step data from their online account. Paired sample t-tests were utilized to examine differences before and after JMU spring break. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects (age = 42.6 ± 11.8, BMI = 28.9 ± 7.1, 20 female, 8 male) completed the survey. Sample included 4 students, 23 staff and faculty, and 1 family member of a JMU student. The 7-day step average for the week before spring break (8200.2 ± 3243.4) was higher than the 7-day step average for the week after spring break (6864.5 ± 3619.7, P = 0.006). There was a trend for a higher 30-day mean step average before spring break (8085.4 ± 2965.6) vs. after (7474.9 ± 3888.2, P = 0.08). Weekday step averages were higher before spring break (8093.5 ± 2854.5) vs. after (7195.3 ± 3695.2, P = 0.03). Weekend step average did not differ between time points (8153.3 ± 3850.4 vs. 8214.9 ± 4823.3, for before and after break, respectively, P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Results found that physical activity levels were altered after stay-at-home orders took effect. Overall PA declined the week after spring break, with weekday steps being impacted most negatively for the month following. This change is likely a reflection of the significant amount of everyday transport PA that is needed to navigate daily life on a university campus (walking to class, to work, walking associated with job duties, etc.) that was removed due to stay-at-home orders. Weekend PA did not differ, as daily routines were likely more stable.
