College students report less physical activity and more sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students’ movement behaviors. Participants: College students attending a large Midwestern university during the pandemic. Methods: The Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents estimated physical activity and sedentary time before, early, and later in the pandemic. Barriers and facilitators to physical activity were assessed at early and later timepoints. Open-ended questions examined additional impacts. Results: Comparing before vs. early/later pandemic assessments, respondents (n = 230, 82% female, 21 ± 5 years) reported a significant decrease in physical activity metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week (7891 ± 7340 vs. 5550 ± 6410/5953 ± 5180) and a significant increase in sedentary MET-minutes/week (1330 ± 1570 vs. 2415 ± 1770/1767 ± 1652). The top barrier was schoolwork (47.7%). The top facilitator was social support (21.5%). Responses to open-ended questions indicated that most individuals reported sitting more during the pandemic, with variation in physical activity patterns. Conclusions: Adverse changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior observed early in the pandemic were sustained.