Did physical activity and associated barriers change during COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland? Repeated cross-sectional study

This repeated cross-sectional study investigated physical activity and associated barriers and facilitators during the first two waves of COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland. An online, anonymous questionnaire collated data from adults during May (n = 1274) and November (n = 810) 2020. Statistical analysis used a combination of traditional significance testing and Bayesian lasso logistic regression. The pattern of physical activity changed significantly between waves (chi(2) 86.8 on 3df; p < 0.001). During wave 1 restrictions, the majority [46.1% (n = 587)] of participants reported being more active than usual, decreasing to 26.3% (n = 213) during wave 2. More participants reported that their activity levels were less than usual [W1 29% (n = 369); W2 35% (n = 283)] during wave 2. Adherence to physical activity guidelines decreased from 56.5% (n = 705) to 43.7% (n = 35). Being unable to access their usual means of exercise [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.611 (1.370-1.904), W2 1.638 (1.3731.968)] and advice not to leave home [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.401 (1.164-1.697), W2 1.367 (1.106-1.696)] predicted less activity than usual during both waves. Increased time [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 2.326 (1.948-2.794), W2 1.809 (1.478-2.233)], and valuing physical activity as important [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.192 (1.001-1.444), W2 1.253 (1.003-1.637)] predicted increased activity during both waves, whilst finding new ways to be active [OR, 95% OR intervals; 2.515 (1.641-3.887)] predicted more activity in wave 2 only. Increases in physical activity of Irish adults during the first phase of COVID-19 restrictions were not maintained during the second wave and barriers to physical activity persisted. Lay Summary Our study looked at the physical activity levels of Irish adults during the first two waves of COVID-19 restrictions. We also examined the factors that helped or hindered people to be active at this time. We used an anonymous, online questionnaire to collect responses during May and November 2020. In total, 1274 people responded in May and 810 in November. We found that in May, almost half of the respondents reported they were more active than usual. By November this had reduced to just over a quarter and about one in three people reported they were doing less activity than usual. People who were less active than usual reported that the closure of their usual means of getting activity, and the advice not to outdoors were the main factors preventing them from being active. People who were more active than usual reported that having more time and feeling that physical activity was important helped them to be more active. The things that helped or hindered people from being active generally did not change between May and November.