Leisure-Time Physical Activity, Sleep, and Self-Perception of Health During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Québec

Background and Objectives: The lockdown imposed by public health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many behaviours, including physical activity (PA). This study aimed to assess changes in selected components of the 24 h movement behaviours during the COVID-19 lockdown and to examine whether changes in these components were associated with changes in self-perceived physical health, mental health and sleep quality. Materials and Methods: The sample was drawn from the MAVIPAN study, a mixed-methods based, prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study. In the present analyses, we used cross-sectional self-reported data collected through online questionnaires. Participants in the present analyses had to be 18 years of age and have complete gender and PA data (n = 2268). Results: During the lockdown, reductions in total PA (effect size: -8.4%; 95% CI: -11.9%, -4.7%; p < 0.0001) and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) (effect size: -8.7%; 95% CI: -13.1%, -4.1%; p < 0.0001) were observed. Total PA increased during the lockdown among participants who self-perceived their physical health, mental health, and sleep quality as better compared to those who reported worse outcomes (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for several confounding variables, an increase in MVPA of 30 min per week was associated with higher odds of reporting better physical health (1.65; 95% CI: 1.51, 1.81; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Although our study design does not allow causal inference, these findings are concordant with public health strategies considering PA to help enhance and maintain physical and mental health, including sleep quality, in both constrained and everyday conditions.