Changes in the amount of physical activities due to the corona, in different continents
Paper ID : 1282-SSRC-13TH
Authors
Abdolreza Oboudi *1, Maryam Pourpakdel Fekr2
1PhD in sport management, Faculty of physical education and sport sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2Faculty of Education, Leisure time activities counseling and management, Palacky university, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced people around the world to alter their daily routines, including exercise habits, both professional and recreational. In other words, social constraints imposed huge limitations on the individual’s leisure activities. This study aims to assess the changes in the physical activities of different groups of people in their leisure time, before and during the pandemic. To collect data, an electronic questionnaire was designed by the research team, and the questionnaire was sent to participants via social media (Facebook, Instagram, Email, Telegram, and WhatsApp). Participants were from 5 continents (Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, and Europe).
Findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected movement and physical activities negatively. There was a significant difference between the BMI of participants before and during the pandemic (t= 14.273, sig= .000).To put it another way, the corona pandemic has led to increasing the participants’ weight significantly.
According to this study, 30% of the participants were regularly working out in the gyms before the covid-19 pandemic. 27% continued their physical activities at home during the pandemic. Taking part in group leisure activities is supposed to be highly beneficial. However, in order to stop the spread of the virus, it is not sensible, during the pandemic. To that end, online group physical activities are an adequate alternative that avoid people from seclusion and depression. While people are getting vaccinated globally and protection against COVID-19 is increasing, several mutations are emerging and this could lead to further lock downs and disruption of the daily life routine. Thus, institutional and governance measures should be done to upgrade leisure time possibilities in the similar critical circumstances. In other words, further researches is needed in this issue.
Keywords
Leisure time, physical activity, (COVID-19) pandemic
Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation)