Recovery shape of physical activity after COVID-19 pandemic: Recovery shape of PA after COVID-19
1
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
20952546
eISSN
22132961
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85152694003
Pubmed ID
36868376
Journal Title
Journal of Sport and Health Science
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Sport and Health Science (2023)
Suggested Citation
Katewongsa P., Widyastari D.A., Haemathulin N., Khanawapee A., Penmai S. Recovery shape of physical activity after COVID-19 pandemic: Recovery shape of PA after COVID-19. Journal of Sport and Health Science (2023). doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2023.02.007 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/81904
Title
Recovery shape of physical activity after COVID-19 pandemic: Recovery shape of PA after COVID-19
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Since the shutdowns associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there has been limited discourse on physical activity (PA) recovery (i.e., the ability of individuals to resume PA at pre-pandemic levels), including recovery rate, speed of recovery, which individuals are able to return quickly, who is left behind, and what are the causes of those differences. This study aimed to estimate the level and shape of PA recovery rate in Thailand. Methods: This study employed 2 rounds (2020 and 2021) of Thailand's Surveillance on Physical Activity dataset for the analysis. Each round included over 6600 samples from individuals aged 18 years or older. PA was assessed subjectively. Recovery rate was calculated from the relative difference in the cumulative minutes of MVPA from 2 different periods. Results: The Thai population experienced a medium level of recession of PA (−26.1%) and a moderate level of recovery of PA (37.44%). PA recovery in the Thai population resembled an imperfect V shape, reflecting a sharp decline followed by an immediate upturn; still, recovered PA remained lower than pre-pandemic levels. The quickest recovery was found among older adults, whereas students, young adults, residents of Bangkok, the unemployed, and those who had a negative attitude toward PA experienced the highest recession of PA and were among the slowest to recover. Conclusion: The level of recovery of PA among Thai adults is largely determined by the preventive behaviors demonstrated by groups within the population who have a higher awareness of their health. The effect of the mandatory coronavirus disease 2019 containment measures on PA was temporary. However, the slower recovery rate of PA among some individuals was caused by a combination of restrictive measures and socioeconomic inequality, which required more time and effort to overcome.