In:
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), Vol. 55, No. 8 ( 2023-8), p. 1366-1374
Abstract:
This study assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions/lockdowns on physical activity levels, body mass, quadriceps strength, and gait biomechanics over 18 months. Methods Ten healthy men were assessed at baseline (~14 wk before first lockdown) and 17.9 ± 0.3 months later ( 〈 1 wk after second lockdown). At both times, physical activity levels, body mass, and quadriceps strength were acquired using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a force plate, and a dynamometer, respectively. Gait data were also acquired using a motion capture system and force plates during self-paced walking, from which spatiotemporal parameters, knee angles, and external moments were computed. Baseline and follow-up measurements were compared using two-tailed paired t -tests ( α = 0.05). Results At follow-up, participants spent less time doing vigorous physical activity (∆ = −76 ± 157 min·wk −1 , P = 0.048), exhibited a tendency toward increased sedentary time (∆ = +120 ± 162 min·d −1 , P = 0.056), weighed more (∆ = +2.5 ± 2.8 kg, P = 0.021), and showed a trend toward reduced quadriceps strength (∆ = −0.29 ± 0.45 (N·m)·kg −1 , P = 0.071) compared with baseline. At follow-up, participants walked slower (∆ = −0.09 ± 0.07 m·s −1 , P = 0.005), had greater knee flexion angles at heel strike (∆ = +2.2° ± 1.8°, P = 0.004) and during late stance (∆ = +2.2° ± 1.8°, P = 0.004), had reduced knee extension moments (∆ = −0.09 ± 0.09 (N·m)·kg −1 , P = 0.012) and knee internal rotation moments (∆ = −0.02 ± 0.02 (N·m)·kg −1 , P = 0.012) during late stance. Conclusions Healthy men exhibited reduced physical activity levels, increased body weight, a tendency toward reduced quadriceps strength, and altered gait biomechanics over the initial 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic—alterations that could have far-reaching health consequences.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1530-0315
,
0195-9131
DOI:
10.1249/MSS.0000000000003160
Language:
English
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2031167-9
SSG:
31
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