Abstract
Purpose: This pilot study explores physical exercise (Ex) habits and enjoyment before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as future intentions to practice and action planning after the pandemic.
Methods: A total of 270 adults (male = 100; female = 168; unspecified = 2; age range 18–70 years.) living in Europe (78,1%), USA (16,3%) and Canada (5,6%) completed in June 2021 an online survey investigating type, modality and settings of Ex practice before and during the pandemic. Frequency, duration and enjoyment (Motl et al., 2001) of a typical session, before and during the pandemic, were considered. We also investigated intention and action planning regarding future practice (Dombrowski & Luszczynska, 2009).
Results: The majority of respondents described themselves as physically active people (82.6%). Results revealed a significantly lower frequency of moderate-intensity Ex during the pandemic than before (p\0.01); a similar trend was found for the frequency of vigorous intensity Ex (p\0.001). The duration of a typical session decreased significantly during respect to before the pandemic (p\0.001). As expected, in this period, participants reported a boost of at home and body weight Ex, also supported by the use of digital technologies. Despite the fact that respondents showed a significantly lower enjoyment in a typical Ex session during, compared with the before period (p\0.001), they reported a high level of intention to practice after the pandemic. The majority of participants planned very often or often, when (67.4%), how often (65.2%), where (70%), with whom (51.5%) and how (70%) they would like to practice. For the future, participants expressed interest in digital training. However, a strong preference for small group and in-presence training supervised by a professional emerged. While the interest in home training remained, a greater preference for practicing outdoors was also shown.
Conclusions: The social restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic seem to have influenced Ex habits and enjoyment, as well as preferences towards certain types, modalities and settings. According to the aims and results of the present pilot study, a further extended study will be launched in September 2021, adopting a shorter survey and modified criteria for participants’ recruitment.