Research
Adherence
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant overall decrease in physical activity and mobility, alongside a significant increase in sedentary behavior, across diverse global populations.
During periods of restricted mobility or facility closures, expect a significant drop in physical activity. To mitigate this, prioritize utilizing available outdoor spaces (parks, trails) or adapting home environments, as access to these resources is a key determinant of maintaining activity levels during crises.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Evidence suggests an overall negative impact of COVID-19 on physical activity, with differential effects across different sub-populations.
Why this rating
Based on a rapid review of 61 peer-reviewed quantitative studies, though many relied on self-report or descriptive statistics.
Source
Impact of COVID-19 on physical activity: A rapid review
Amaryllis H Park et al. · Journal of Global Health · 2022
DOI 10.7189/jogh.12.05003
systematic_reviewCited 228×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →