Physical activity patterns among adults population during the coronavirus pandemic: consideration of the role of resilience

Baattaiah, Baian A; Alharbi, Mutasim D; Alqahtani, Abdulfattah S; Aldhahi, Monira I

BACKGROUND: This study aims to characterize patterns of physical activity (PA) and resilience levels, and to examine whether resilience contributes to PA participation among adults during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the quarantine period. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) questionnaires were used to assess the study's outcomes. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine the difference in PA across resilience levels. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between resilience and PA. Data were reported as medians and interquartile ranges. RESULTS: A sample of 1859 were included in the study (40% aged 26-35 yrs). The findings show that 85% of the respondents engaged in PA and 15% were physically inactive. The majority participated in moderate-intensity PA (71%). The median score was 3.50(0.85), which indicates a medium level of resilience. The positive correlation coefficient was shown between the average score of resilience and both walking (rs =0.01, p<0.001) and vigorous- intensity PA (rs =0.08, p=.007). Data did not show a significant correlation between moderate-intensity PA and resilience score. CONCLUSIONS: Greater emphasis on PA engagement after the period of quarantine is needed. Resilience may play an important role in buffering the deleterious impact of quarantine on PA. Key words: Exercise; Physical Activity; Rehabilitation; Mental Health; COVID-19.