Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco
2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Tangier Tetouan Al Hoceima, Tangier, Morocco Department of Physiology, Exercise Physiology and Autonomic Nervous System Team (EPE‑SNA), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) and resulting restrictions have impacted
populations’ lifestyles and posed a challenge regarding their behaviors, including physical
activity (PA). This study aimed to evaluate PA patterns of university students during the COVID‑19
outbreak. We also analyzed the association of participants’ characteristics, including their level of
anxiety, under the pandemic conditions, with adherence to the world health organization (WHO)
recommendations for PA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study comprised 717 Moroccan university
students recruited during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ
V.2) was used to evaluate PA. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and anxiety levels were
also collected. Anxiety was assessed using State‑Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Descriptive and
inferential statistical analysis was carried out. The association between participants’ characteristics
and PA was studied using regression models.
RESULTS: Of all participants, 33.2% did not achieve the recommended levels of PA. The daily
median (25th–75th percentile) time spent in PA was 34.3 min (12.7–98.6), whereas the median time
of sedentariness was 10 h per day (6–14). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex (OR = 0.63;
95% CI: 0.44–0.90; P < 0.05) and high level of state anxiety (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20–0.92; P < 0.05)
were negatively associated with the achievement of the WHO recommended PA.
CONCLUSION: The reported PA patterns of university students during the current outbreak should
be taken into account and evoke the necessity of encouraging this population to adhere to the
recommended PA levels. Targeting state anxiety related to the conditions we are facing may have
a promising effect on the promotion of PA.
Keywords
1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6287.
10. Rogowska AM, Pavlova I, Kuśnierz C, Ochnik D, Bodnar I,
Petrytsa P. Does physical activity matter for the mental health of
university students during the COVID‑19 pandemic? J Clin Med
2020;9:3494.
11. Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, et al. The
psychological impact of the COVID‑19 epidemic on college
students in China. Psychiatry Res 2020;287:112934.
12. PoleroP, Rebollo‑Seco C, AdsuarJC, Pérez‑Gómez J, Rojo‑Ramos J,
Manzano‑Redondo F, et al. Physical activity recommendations
during COVID‑19: Narrative review. Int J Environ Res Public
Health 2020;18:65.
13. Cleland CL, Hunter RF, Kee F, Cupples ME, Sallis JF, Tully MA.
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assessing levels and change in moderate‑vigorous physical activity
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activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. CMAJ 2006;174:801‑9.
2. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in
insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: A pooled analysis
of 358 population‑based surveys with 1.9 million participants.
Lancet Glob Health 2018;6:e1077‑86.
3. Keating XD, Guan J, Piñero JC, Bridges DM. A meta‑analysis of
college students’ physical activity behaviors. J Am Coll Health
2005;54:116‑25.
4. Bull FC, Al‑Ansari SS, Biddle S, Borodulin K, Buman MP,
Cardon G, et al. World health organization 2020 guidelines on
physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med
2020;54:1451‑62.
5. Pengpid S, Peltzer K, Kassean HK, Tsala Tsala JP, Sychareun V,
Müller‑Riemenschneider F. Physical inactivity and associated
factors among university students in 23 low‑, middle‑ and
high‑income countries. Int J Public Health 2015;60:539‑49.
6. Gallè F, Sabella EA, Ferracuti S, De Giglio O, Caggiano G,
Protano C, et al. Sedentary behaviors and physical activity of
Italian undergraduate students during lockdown at the time of
CoViD‑19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6171.
7. Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J, et al. A novel
coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl
J Med 2020;382:727‑33.
8. Stanton R, To QG, Khalesi S, Williams SL, Alley SJ, Thwaite TL,
et al. Depression, anxiety and stress during COVID‑19:
Associations with changes in physical activity, sleep, tobacco and
alcohol use in Australian adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health
2020;17:4065.
9. Cancello R, Soranna D, Zambra G, Zambon A, Invitti C.
Determinants of the lifestyle changes during COVID‑19 pandemic
in the residents of Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:6287.
10. Rogowska AM, Pavlova I, Kuśnierz C, Ochnik D, Bodnar I,
Petrytsa P. Does physical activity matter for the mental health of
university students during the COVID‑19 pandemic? J Clin Med
2020;9:3494.
11. Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, et al. The
psychological impact of the COVID‑19 epidemic on college
students in China. Psychiatry Res 2020;287:112934.
12. PoleroP, Rebollo‑Seco C, AdsuarJC, Pérez‑Gómez J, Rojo‑Ramos J,
Manzano‑Redondo F, et al. Physical activity recommendations
during COVID‑19: Narrative review. Int J Environ Res Public
Health 2020;18:65.
13. Cleland CL, Hunter RF, Kee F, Cupples ME, Sallis JF, Tully MA.
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