Physical Activity Trajectories Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Brazil: Evidence From a Cohort Study

Tracking physical activity (PA) levels during the COVID-19 pandemic was important to understand how an unexpected disease outbreak impacted people's behavior. This study aimed to evaluate the trajectory of leisure-time PA among adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We analyzed data of 5 waves of the PAMPA (Prospective Study on Mental and Physical Health in Adults) Cohort, from June 2020 to June 2023. Self-reported leisure-time PA practice, frequency, and duration in the previous week were assessed. PA trajectories were analyzed by latent growth curve analysis using mean PA scores per week across all waves. Inequalities were evaluated by slope index of inequality and concentration index.

Most of the sample were women (72.9%-79.0% across follow-ups), with ages ranging from 18 to 39 years. There was a significant increase in leisure-time PA from waves 1 to 5, with the lowest prevalence observed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the highest prevalence observed after the emergency ended. Men were more likely to be active than women at all time points. In adults aged 18-39 years, there was an increase in PA across follow-ups. From waves 2 to 5, those with the lowest schooling were consistently less active when compared with those with more schooling. Black and Pardo participants were less active than white ones.

After the first few months of the pandemic, there was a trend to increase PA in adults from southern Brazil. Public policies should focus on increasing leisure-time PA in vulnerable population groups. In future disease outbreaks, policies to keep the population active are needed.