Poor Sleep Quality and Working From Home Influence the Prevalence of Leisure Time Physical Inactivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: COVID-Inconfidentes Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to explore possible associations according to quality of sleep and work from home (WFH) with physical inactivity (PI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This is a cross-sectional study in two Brazilian cities (>18 years), by probability sampling. Leisure-time physical activity was self-reported and classified according to guidelines. Sleep was by applying the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Work from home was classified as: total WFH or no WFH. Results A total of 1750 adults were analyzed, 69.1% were physically inactive, 51.9% had poor sleep quality, and 79.8% were not in WFH. PI was associated with poor sleep quality and non-WFH. Compared with those who reported WFH and good sleep quality, those who reported non-WFH and poor sleep quality had 4 times the prevalence of PI. Conclusions Poor sleep quality, and not WFH, is associated with leisure PI. These factors combined increase the probability of PI.