Physical activity and adherence to health guidelines in young people following the outbreak of Covid-19

Oral Presentation
Paper ID : 1913-12THCONG
Authors
1استادیار پژوهشگاه تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی
2Teacher at education department, district 18 Tehran
3دانشگاه بین المللی امام خمینی
Abstract
Introduction
Due to the closure and reduction of daily movements, it is necessary to control health-related behaviors in people. In this study, the degree of adherence to health guidelines in young people is determined. Changes in the level of physical activity (measured based on the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities) are examined; The correlation between these variables is also evaluated.
Methodology
The research questionnaire, based on similar works (e.g. Conway, Woodard and Zubrod,2020), included: demographic characteristics, health, current and previous level of physical activity, and adherence to health guidelines. Chi-square and Kendall tau-c tests were used to analyze data and compare results between before and after the outbreak of Covid-19.
Results
A total of 500 people voluntarily completed the questionnaires (mean age=24.3, range=19 to 35 years). The difference in the scores of all three physical activity variables from before to after the outbreak of Covid-19 was significant. The frequency of physical activity decreased by 41.15%, the duration in 11.81%, and the intensity in 54.37% of the participants. In terms of adherence to the instructions, about 30% of the participants reported strict observance and 5% of them reported complete indifference. Strict observance in the two groups of people with a decrease and increase in physical activity was 32% and 38%, respectively. Kendall tau-c test confirmed a significant difference between the two groups (sig = 0.024).
Discussion
The results showed that most participants experienced a decline in physical activity level, especially in terms of frequency and intensity. This group also falls into the category of people with less adherence to health guidelines, which makes them susceptible to the virus both in terms of environmental conditions and the immune system. Therefore, people need to be more aware of the benefits of exercise in safe conditions.
Keywords
Subjects