Physical activity patterns of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: The impact of state anxiety

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and resulting restrictions have impacted populations’ lifestyles and posed a challenge regarding their behaviors, including physical activity (PA). This study aimed to evaluate PA patterns of university students during the COVID-19 outbreak. We also analyzed the association of participants’ characteristics, including their level of anxiety, under the pandemic conditions, with adherence to the world health organization (WHO) recommendations for PA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 717 Moroccan university students recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ V.2) was used to evaluate PA. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and anxiety levels were also collected. Anxiety was assessed using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out. The association between participants’ characteristics and PA was studied using regression models. RESULTS: Of all participants, 33.2% did not achieve the recommended levels of PA. The daily median (25(th)–75(th) percentile) time spent in PA was 34.3 min (12.7–98.6), whereas the median time of sedentariness was 10 h per day (6–14). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex (OR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.44–0.90; P < 0.05) and high level of state anxiety (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20–0.92; P < 0.05) were negatively associated with the achievement of the WHO recommended PA. CONCLUSION: The reported PA patterns of university students during the current outbreak should be taken into account and evoke the necessity of encouraging this population to adhere to the recommended PA levels. Targeting state anxiety related to the conditions we are facing may have a promising effect on the promotion of PA.