Associations between individual and environmental determinants and physical activity levels of an active population during the Spanish lockdown.

Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to decrease physical activity (PA) levels. The purpose of the study was to explore the associations between age, gender, and exercise facilities-type membership and physical activity levels during COVID-19 lockdown among users of exercise facilities from Spain. Participants were recruited among the members of 84 exercise facilities across Spain. Data was collected through an online questionnaire between 5th and 20th of April 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 7062 participants met inclusion criteria and responded correctly to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Lower levels of total PA were found in women compared with men (ß = -26, 95%CI: -40 to -13), and among older adults (ß = -48, 95%CI: -10 to -85) compared with younger ones. Moreover, users of private facilities showed higher levels of PA (ß = 40, 95%CI: 13 to 66) than those from low-cost and public facilities (reference). Lastly, women from private facilities showed greater levels of PA (ß = 63, 95%CI: 29 to 96) than low cost and public's users, an increase higher than what was found in men (ß = 7, 95%CI: -38 to 52). Therefore, gender, age and the type of exercise facility's subscription had a relevant influence on PA levels during COVID-19 lockdown in an active population. These findings are useful for public health recommendations, in order to identify subpopulations of previously active people at risk of being physically inactive during and after this pandemic.

Levels of Physical Activity Among Older Adults in the European Union.

The study aimed to ascertain the levels of older European people's physical activity according to sociodemographic variables. The sample size was 7,893 citizens aged 65 and over from the European Union. The participants were classified as physically inactive, adequately active, or highly active, according to the World Health Organization. The total metabolic equivalents of task minutes per week were also calculated. In the results, 55.5% of older people were adequately active, and 43.8% were highly active, especially in the North and West. The average metabolic equivalents of task minutes per week was 1,313 metabolic equivalents of task minutes, with walking as the main activity, followed by moderate physical activity and vigorous activity. Male older people of a lower age from the North and West, with a higher level of education and less difficulty in paying bills, were more likely to be physically active. As a conclusion, only slightly more than half the population were adequately active. These sociodemographic inequalities show the necessity of implementing specific measures.

Effects of worksite exercise intervention (PRODET®) on well-being at work and capability in performing work-related sedentary tasks: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Companies have tried to carry out interventions in order to mitigate the risks associated with losses in productivity and the health of employees. OBJECTIVE: This intervention trial evaluated the effect of a supervised exercise intervention based on aerobic capacity and strength on well-being at work and capability in performing work tasks. METHODOLOGY: The sample was composed of 67 participants (N = 67, mean age 34.31 years) and investigated a 12-week group physical exercise program in the workplace, two days per week for 50 minutes, which was supervised and based on aerobic endurance and strength. The 67 subjects were working-age office workers, deemed sedentary and randomized into an intervention (N = 40) or control (N = 27) group. Among them, 33 were men (N = 33; 49.25%) and 34 were women (N = 34, 50.75%). Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-test in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square tests were performed to compare the characteristics of the intervention and control group. η2 = z/(n-1) was calculated as effect size rates. RESULTS: The program showed statistically significant effects on strength endurance (P = 0.020, η2 = 0.08), the loss of fat percentage (P = 0.015, η2 = 0.09), lower limb power (P = 0.020, η2 = 0.08) and QoL (P = 0.0001, η2 = 0.39 for the physical health outcome, and P = 0.0001, η2 = 0.35 for the outcome of total scores of mental health). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had an impact on the endurance, fat percentage loss and QoL of the workers whose occupations were based on sedentary tasks.