Use of accelerometers to track changes in stepping
behavior with the introduction of the 2020 COVID pandemic
restrictions: a case study

McGuire, T; Devin, K; Griffiths, B; Speirs, C; Granat, MH

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown introduced restrictions to free-living activities. Changes to these activities can be accurately
quantified using combined measurement. Using activPAL3 and self-reports to collect activity data, the study aimed to quantify
changes that occurred in physical activity and sedentary behavior between prelockdown and lockdown. The study also sought to
determine changes in indoor and outdoor stepping. Methods: Using activPAL3, four participants recorded physical activity data
prelockdown and during lockdown restrictions (February–June 2020). Single events (sitting, standing, stepping, lying) were recorded
and analyzed by the CREA algorithm using an event-based approach. The analysis focused on step count, sedentary time, and lying
(in bed) time; median and interquartile range were calculated. Daily steps classified as taking place indoors and outdoors were
calculated separately. Results: 33 prelockdown and 92 in-lockdown days of valid data were captured. Median daily step count across
all participants reduced by 14.8% (from 5,828 prelockdown to 4,963 in-lockdown), while sedentary and lying time increased by 4%
and 8%, respectively (sedentary: 9.98–10.30 hr; lying: 9.33–10.05 hr). Individual variations were observed in hours spent sedentary
(001: 8.44–8.66, 002: 7.41–8.66, 003: 11.97–10.59, 004: 6.29–7.94, and lying (001: 9.69–9.49, 002: 11.46–11.66, 003: 7.63–9.34,
004: 9.7–11.12) pre- and in-lockdown. Discrepancies in self-report versus algorithm classification of indoor/outdoor stepping were
observed for three participants. Conclusion: The study quantitively showed lockdown restrictions negatively impacted physical
activity and sedentary behavior; two variables closely linked to health outcomes. This has important implications for public health
policies to help develop targeted interventions and mandates that encourage additional physical activity and lower sedentary behavior.

Citation

restrictions: a case study. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2022-0015

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 3, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 1, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 1, 2023
• Journal: Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour
• Print ISSN: 2575-6605
• Electronic ISSN: 2575-6613
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Pages: 1-15
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2022-0015
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2022-0015
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2022-0015. © Human Kinetics, Inc.