Comparison of physical activity levels in Spanish adults with chronic conditions before and during COVID-19 quarantine.

BACKGROUND: This is the first study analyzing levels of physical activity in a sample of quarantined adults with chronic conditions. The aim of this study was to compare moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity levels in Spanish adults with chronic conditions before and during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was administered during the COVID-19 quarantine in Spain. A total of 163 participants with chronic conditions (113 females and 47 males; age range 18-64 years) completed the survey. A total of 26 chronic conditions were included. Participants self-reported average minutes/day of moderate and vigorous physical activity before and during quarantine. Differences in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity levels before and during COVID-19 quarantine (overall, by gender, by age, by number of chronic conditions and by each chronic condition) were assessed by Wilcoxon-signed rank test. RESULTS: During COVID-19 quarantine, there was a significant decrease of moderate-intensity physical activity in Spanish people with chronic conditions (in both males and females, in those aged 18-24, 25-34, 35-44 and 55-64 years, in those with multimorbidity, in those with one/two chronic condition/s, and in those diagnosed with asthma/hypercholesterolaemia/chronic skin disease/haemorrhoids). Also, there was a significant decrease of vigorous-intensity physical activity in Spanish males with chronic conditions and in those with multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: These results should be considered to develop effective strategies of physical activity promotion targeting these specific groups when new quarantine or restriction measures are implemented, in order to avoid new significant decreases of physical activity in these vulnerable populations.

Comparison of physical activity levels in Spanish people with diabetes with and without cataracts.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to compare levels of physical activity (PA) in a large sample of Spanish people with diabetes with and without cataracts. To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing PA levels in people with diabetes with and without cataracts in a large representative sample. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 were analyzed (n = 1014 people with diabetes; 43.1% females; age range 15-69 years; mean age 58.4 ± 9.2 years). International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form was used to measure PA. Total MET-min week-1 of PA were calculated and participants were divided into two categories according to American Diabetes Association PA guidelines: (i) <600 MET-min week-1. (ii) At least 600 MET-min week-1. Diabetes and cataracts were self-reported in response to the questions 'Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes/cataracts?' Participants also reported other variables including age, gender, marital status, living as a couple, education, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 23.0. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of cataract was 14.0% and the overall prevalence of people doing <600 MET-min week-1 of PA was 35.4%. The prevalence of cataract was significantly lower in those doing more PA (12.1% vs. 17.5%; P = 0.016). Those without cataracts were significantly more active than those with cataracts (1846.8 vs. 1289.4 MET-min week-1; P = 0.001). The adherence to American Diabetes Association PA guidelines was significantly higher in those without cataracts (66.1% vs. 55.6%; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to promote PA targeting people with both diabetes and cataracts are warranted.