Impact of COVID-19 on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status in adults and older adults: a retrospective observational study

Alcivandro de Sousa Oliveira; Euripedes Barsanulfo Gonçalves Gomide; Lisa Fernanda  Mazzonetto; Gianna Fiori Marchiori; Jéssica Fernanda Correa Cordeiro; Márcio Fernando Tasinafo-Júnior; Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva; Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla; Ana Cláudia Rossini Venturini; Camila de Moraes; Jorge Mota; Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado; André Pereira dos Santos

doi:10.6063/motricidade.33549

Impact of COVID-19 on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status in adults and older adults: a retrospective observational study

Authors

Alcivandro de Sousa Oliveira School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4688-0800
Euripedes Barsanulfo Gonçalves Gomide Claretiano – University Center, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0020-4682
Lisa Fernanda Mazzonetto School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0813-5842
Gianna Fiori Marchiori Collective Health Research Group, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6363-0059
Jéssica Fernanda Correa Cordeiro Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8212-9032
Márcio Fernando Tasinafo-Júnior School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6111-1199
Leonardo Santos Lopes da Silva School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla Study and research group in anthropometry, training and sport, Ribeirão Preto. School of https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7490-9466
Ana Cláudia Rossini Venturini Study and research group in anthropometry, training and sport, Ribeirão Preto. School of
Camila de Moraes School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3735-1165
Jorge Mota Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7571-9181
Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7327-0800
André Pereira dos Santos School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0055-4682

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.33549

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, Physical Exercise, Elderly, Behaviour Change

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status pre-diagnosis and post-recovery in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19; to assess the influence of COVID-19 signals, symptoms, and clinical outcomes on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status in adults and older adults. A total of 509 individuals (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2021 in Ribeirão Preto/SP were evaluated. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior, and the “profile of people diagnosed with COVID-19” questionnaire was used to self-report general health status. Data were collected via telephone regarding the week before the COVID-19 diagnosis (pre-diagnosis) and during the interview (post-recovery). There was a significant reduction in physical activity in adults and older adults (p < .001) post-recovery. Sedentary behavior increased in adults (p = .021). General health status worsened in both adults and older adults (p < .001). Symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, and muscle pain affected physical activity; respiratory difficulty and the need for oxygen support negatively influenced sedentary behavior. Sore throat, fatigue/tiredness, and muscle pain affected general health status in adults and older adults. COVID-19 signals and symptoms negatively influenced physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status.

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Published

2025-05-28

How to Cite

Oliveira, A. de S., Gomide, E. B. G., Mazzonetto, L. F., Marchiori, G. F., Cordeiro, J. F. C., Tasinafo-Júnior, M. F., … Santos, A. P. dos. (2025). Impact of COVID-19 on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and general health status in adults and older adults: a retrospective observational study. Motricidade, 21, e33549. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.33549

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Issue

Vol. 21 (2025): Motricidade

Section

Original Article

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