AUTHOR=Aegerter Andrea Martina , Deforth Manja , Sjøgaard Gisela , Johnston Venerina , Volken Thomas , Luomajoki Hannu , Dratva Julia , Dressel Holger , Distler Oliver , Melloh Markus , Elfering Achim ,  the NEXpro Collaboration Group , Aegerter Andrea M. , Barbero Marco , Brunner Beatrice , Cornwall Jon , Pereira Yara Da Cruz , MD  , OD  , JD  , HD  , Egli Tobias , AE  , Ernst Markus J. , Etzer-Hofer Irene , Falla Deborah , Gisler Michelle , Haas Michelle , VJ  , Klaus Sandro , Kobelt Gina M. , Lüdtke Kerstin , HL  , MM  , Nicoletti Corinne , Niggli Seraina , Nüssle Achim , Richard Salome , Sax Nadine , Schülke Katja , GS  , Staub Lukas , TV  , Zweig Thomas 

TITLE=No Evidence for a Decrease in Physical Activity Among Swiss Office Workers During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620307

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620307

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Purpose: The COVID-19 lockdown interrupted normal daily activities, which may have led to an increase in sedentary behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of physical activity among Swiss office workers. 
Methods: Office workers from two Swiss organizations, aged 18-65 years, were included. Baseline data from January 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic became effective in Switzerland were compared with follow-up data during the lockdown phase in April 2020. Levels of physical activity were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Paired sample t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed for statistical analysis.
Results: Data from 76 participants were analyzed. Fifty-four participants were female (71.1%). The mean age was 42.7 years (range from 21.8 to 62.7) at baseline. About 75% of the participants met the recommendations on minimal physical activity, both before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the lockdown. Weak statistical evidence for a decline in total physical activity in metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week (MET min/week) was found (estimate = -292, 95% CI from – ∞ to 74, p-value = 0.09), with no evidence for a decrease in the three types of activity: walking (estimate = -189, 95% CI from – ∞ to 100, p-value = 0.28), moderate-intensity activity (estimate = -200, 95% CI from – ∞ to 30, p-value = 0.22) and vigorous-intensity activity (estimate = 80, 95% CI from – ∞ to 460, p-value = 0.74). Across the three categories ‘high’, ‘moderate’ and ‘low’ physical activity, 17% of the participants became less active during the lockdown while 29% became more active.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic did not result in a reduction in total physical activity levels among a sample of Swiss office workers during the first weeks of lockdown. Improved work-life balance and working times may have contributed to this finding.