Effect of Coronavirus-19 Restrictions in Male Handball Players: Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Satisfaction with Life

Hermassi, Souhail; Hayes, Lawrence D.; Sanal-Hayes, Nilihan E. M.; Schwesig, René

Abstract

This experiment examined physical activity (PA), sitting time, and satisfaction with life (SL) in European (45%) and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA; 55%) handball players (n = 418; age: 25.6 ± 6.8 years; body mass: 88.1 ± 11.7 kg; height: 1.83 ± 0.08 m) during the coronavirus (COVID)-19 pandemic. The International Physical Activity (IPAQ) and Satisfaction of Life (LS) Questionnaires were administered. All PA variables (vigorous, moderate, walking, total PA) were negatively influenced, but no interaction effects (IE; region x time) were observed. Sitting time increased from 2.5 to 4.9 h∙weekday−1 (ηp2 = 0.80) and walking time decreased from 66.8 to 33.5 min∙day−1 (ηp2 = 0.83). Based on effect sizes (d), pre- to during-confinement reductions were similar between regions (MENA: d = 3.29; Europe: d = 3.41; IE: ηp2 = 0.01). The largest regional difference was in moderate PA (MENA: d = 1.88; Europe: d = 2.99; IE: ηp2 = 0.09). SL in the total sample reduced from 30.6 ± 2.02 to 13.9 ± 2.20 arbitrary units (AU). SL reduction was similar in both regions (dMENA = 8.44; dEUROPE = 8.06; IE: ηp2 = 0.01). To conclude, PA decreased during COVID-19 confinement, sitting time increased, and SL decreased irrespective of geographical region. These preliminary findings highlight risk of SL and physical inactivity during COVID-19 restrictions in 2021.

Citation

Hermassi, S., Hayes, L. D., Sanal-Hayes, N. E. M., & Schwesig, R. (in press). Effect of Coronavirus-19 Restrictions in Male Handball Players: Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Satisfaction with Life. Applied Sciences, 11(23), 11373. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311373

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 26, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2024
• Journal: Applied Sciences
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 23
• Pages: 11373
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311373
• Keywords: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes; Computer Science Applications; Process Chemistry and Technology; General Engineering; Instrumentation; General Materials Science