The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity among Finnish children, adults and seniors

The National Sports Council has published a report on the effects of the restrictions implemented during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity among Finns. The report covers the spring and summer of 2020 and evaluates the impact on children and youth, working-age adults, and the elderly.

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions had widespread effects on people’s lives, including their exercise habits. The closure of sports facilities had a tangible impact on people’s opportunities to engage in physical activity. However, at the time the restrictions were implemented, the true effects on people’s physical activity levels were naturally unknown.

Based on the study commissioned by the National Sports Council, we now have a clearer understanding of how the restrictions during the spring and summer of 2020 affected the physical activity of Finns of different ages.

Children and Youth:
Overall, the physical activity of children and youth, measured by the number of steps taken, decreased dramatically during the spring of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline was so significant that it clearly has a harmful effect on the growth and development of children and youth. If this change becomes permanent, the negative impact will be even more substantial. For children and youth, the shift to remote learning and the suspension of extracurricular activities appeared to have a major impact on the reduction of their physical activity. The exceptional circumstances seemed to particularly increase the polarization of physical activity among young people, dividing them into groups of low and high activity levels.

Working-Age Adults:
It is no surprise that commuting decreased significantly during the spring of 2020. However, this did not automatically mean that physical activity decreased for all working-age adults. For about one-third, leisure-time physical activity increased, while for the rest it either remained the same or decreased. The extent of these changes varied between genders, as well as between age and education groups. As in other age groups, physical activity shifted from indoor activities to walking and outdoor exercise as a result of the restrictions.

Elderly:
In terms of physical activity, elderly individuals were considered to be in the most critical position due to COVID-19 restrictions and their quarantine-like living conditions. However, a reassuring finding is that their physical activity decreased less than anticipated during the spring of the pandemic. Unfortunately, elderly women experienced a decrease in activity more frequently than men of the same age. Overall, functional movement, home-based exercise, and walking either increased or remained at pre-pandemic levels. However, the shrinking of their living space due to COVID-19 restrictions likely increases the risk of a significant decline in functional ability for the elderly much more than for younger age groups.

Conclusion

The consequences described in the report, even after a short period of restrictions, appear to be surprisingly significant. The value of the report lies partly in the fact that research-based information on the impact of the restrictions was obtained so quickly. The researchers themselves note that the final effects of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed because of it can only be assessed after a long period of time.

The public debate in the media and the concerns raised about the impact of the restrictions on the lives and quality of life of children, youth, and the elderly are justified, based on these findings. This report only addresses the early stages of the pandemic, specifically the spring and summer of 2020. The ongoing duration of the pandemic further emphasizes the undesirable effects of the restrictions, particularly on these age groups.

The pandemic restrictions have now been in place for over a year. During this time, we have learned that physical activity must be supported during exceptional circumstances. The report highlights that, as restrictions continue, special attention should be given to those who are less physically active, the elderly, and individuals with physical disabilities or those in a weaker social position.

Website in Finnish:

https://www.liikuntaneuvosto.fi/2020/10/27/koronapandemia-on-lisannyt-vaeston-liikunnan-polarisaatiota/

Report in Finnish:

https://www.liikuntaneuvosto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Koronapandemian-vaikutukset-vaeston-liikuntaan-paivitetty-23.11.2020.pdf