Correlates of Perceived Physical Activity Transitions during the COVID‐19 Pandemic among Canadian Adults

Rhodes, Ryan E.; Liu, Sam; Lithopoulos, Alexander; Zhang, Chun‐Qing; Garcia‐Barrera, Mauricio A.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore socio‐ecological predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as a result of the COVD‐19 pandemic restrictions. METHOD: A representative sample of 1,055 English‐speaking Canadians (18+ years) completed measures of MVPA during the COVID‐19 restrictions and reflecting on MVPA prior to these restrictions, as well as demographics, COVID‐19‐related cognitions and behavior (i.e. perceived threat, social distancing), psychological factors (e.g. personality traits, habit, identity, strategic planning), social factors (e.g. dependent children, co‐habitation), home environment affordances (exercise equipment, programming) and the neighborhood environment (e.g. access to outdoor recreation, neighborhood safety). RESULTS: Participants perceived that they had decreased weekly MVPA (p < .01) and the availability of home equipment and strategic planning were critical predictors (p < .01). Profiles by MVPA guidelines, however, showed that 58 per cent of the sample had not changed and 6 per cent had increased MVPA. Identity was the critical predictor of the different MVPA profiles, followed by habit, extraversion, availability of home equipment, and the age of the participant (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Pandemic restrictions have affected the MVPA of many Canadians, and variables across the socio‐ecological spectrum explain who has been able to maintain MVPA during this unprecedented time.