ArticleBMC public health2024
Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during the first COVID-19 pandemic- restrictions in Germany: a nationwide survey : Running head: physical activity during the COVID-19 restrictions.
Article in BMC public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The impact of working from home on sedentary behaviour and physical activity compared to onsite work in the working population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC public health · 2025Pooled it
- Did aging-related beliefs and behaviors change during the COVID-19 pandemic?European journal of ageing · 2026Article
- Self-rated health and mental health before and during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) study.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Sociodemographic determinants of the level of physical activity in residents of Eastern Poland.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Beyond one-size-fits-all: addressing sex differences and promoting inclusive leadership in cardiovascular research and healthcare.BMC medicine · 2025Review
- Changes in Physical Activity, Heart Rate, and Sleep Measured by Activity Trackers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Across 34 Countries: Retrospective Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Mood, Quality of Life, and Immune Fitness During the COVID-19 Pandemic of Young Adults in Germany.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Prevalence and Determinants of Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
32 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic restrictions posed challenges to maintaining healthy lifestyles and physical well-being. During the first mobility restrictions from March to mid-July 2020, the German population was advised to stay home, except for work, exercise, and essential shopping. Our objective was to comprehensively assess the impact of these restrictions on changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior to identify the most affected groups.
methodsBetween April 30, 2020, and May 12, 2020, we distributed a COVID-19-specific questionnaire to participants of the German National Cohort (NAKO). This questionnaire gathered information about participants' physical activity and sedentary behavior currently compared to the time before the restrictions. We integrated this new data with existing information on anxiety, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. The analyses focused on sociodemographic factors, social relationships, physical health, and working conditions.
resultsOut of 152,421 respondents, a significant proportion reported altered physical activity and sedentary behavioral patterns due to COVID-19 restrictions. Over a third of the participants initially meeting the WHO's physical activity recommendation could no longer meet the guidelines during the restrictions. Participants reported substantial declines in sports activities (mean change (M) = -0.38; 95% CI: -.390; -.378; range from -2 to + 2) and reduced active transportation (M = -0.12; 95% CI: -.126; -.117). However, they also increased recreational physical activities (M = 0.12; 95% CI: .117; .126) while engaging in more sedentary behavior (M = 0.24; 95% CI: .240; .247) compared to pre-restriction levels. Multivariable linear and log-binomial regression models indicated that younger adults were more affected by the restrictions than older adults. The shift to remote work, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms were the factors most strongly associated with changes in all physical activity domains, including sedentary behavior, and the likelihood to continue following the physical activity guidelines.
conclusionsMobility patterns shifted towards inactivity or low-intensity activities during the nationwide restrictions in the spring of 2020, potentially leading to considerable and lasting health risks.
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