The COVID-19 Pandemic and Moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity among Daegu Citizens

Abstract

Objectives: Daegu Metropolitan City was a region that experienced the pandemic in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, and the rate of physical activity practice decreased significantly compared to other regions in 2020. Three years later, in 2022, when social distancing was lifted, although the rate of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in other cities recovered to the pre-COVID-19 levels, Daegu’s recovery was the lowest among special and metropolitan cities.Methods: We investigated to the characteristics of the group whose practice rate of moderate to high physical activity has not recovered to its pre-COVID level by changes in the practice rate of MVPA from 2019 to 2022 according to sociodemographic characteristics, by using data from the Daegu City Community Health Survey.Results: In difference (%p) between years, the rate of practicing MVPA in those who had a high rate of that before COVID-19 decreased significantly. In 2019, before the outbreak of COVID-19, the groups with the lowest rates of MVPA were women, over 70 years old, low-income, other occupations (students, housewives, unemployed), hypertension, and diabetes. In increase/decrease rate, the groups that decreased the most in 2020 were women, over 70 years old, low-income, agriculture · forestry · fisheries, hypertension, and diabetes. The groups with the lowest recovery in 2022 were women, 60s, low-income, agriculture · forestry · fisheries, hypertension, and diabetes.Conclusions: The group whose MVPA was most vulnerable in 2019 decreased the most in 2020, and the group that decreased the most significantly was found to be the group with the lowest recovery in 2022. The gap between the vulnerable and privileged groups has widened as the former has become more vulnerable due to the pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial for the local government to intervene for vulnerable groups because the groups that in socioeconomic may be more affected by reduced physical activity.