BACKGROUND
Government responses to managing the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the way individuals were able to engage in physical activity. Digital platforms are a promising way to support physical activity levels and may have provided an alternative for people to maintain their activity while at home.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine associations between use of digital platforms and adherence to the physical activity guidelines among Australian adults and adolescents during April/May COVID-19 'stay at home' restrictions.
METHODS
A national online survey was distributed in May 2020. Participants (adults: n=1,188, 82% female, mean age=37.4±15.1 years; adolescents: n=963, 71% female, mean age=16.2±1.2 years) reported demographic characteristics, use of digital platforms for physical activity over the previous month, and adherence to moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and muscle strengthening guidelines. Multilevel logistic regression models examined differences in guideline adherence between those who used digital platforms (users) to support their physical activity compared to those who did not (non-users).
RESULTS
Overall, 39% of adults and 26% of adolescents reported using digital platforms for physical activity. Among adults, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (OR=2.0, 95%CI 1.5-2.7), muscle strengthening (OR=3.3, 95%CI 2.5-4.5), and combined (OR=2.7, 95%CI 2.0-3.8) guideline adherence were higher among digital platform users relative to non-users. Adolescents' moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (OR=2.4, 95%CI 1.3-4.3), muscle strengthening (OR=3.1, 95%CI 2.1-4.4) and combined (OR=4.3, 95%CI 2.1-9.0) guideline adherence were also higher among users of digital platforms relative to non-users.
CONCLUSIONS
Digital platform users were more likely than non-users to meet moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and muscle strengthening guidelines during the April/May COVID-19 'stay at home' restrictions. Digital platforms may play a critical role in helping to support physical activity engagement when access to facilities or opportunities for physical activity outside the home are restricted.
CLINICALTRIAL