The Short-term and Long-term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Interest in Physical Activities in China (Preprint)

Abstract

Physical activity is a critical component of public health, offering numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and related control measures have dramatically altered daily life, potentially impacting public interest in different forms of physical activities and the corresponding exercise habits. Understanding how interest in physical activities has changed during various phases of the pandemic is essential for developing strategies to promote and maintain physical health in the population.

To evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public interest in physical activities within China, utilizing internet search data as an indicator.

This study utilized daily search volume data spanning from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, to track changes in public interest across three pandemic phases: pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic. It specifically focused on different types of physical activities, categorized as outdoor exercises, home exercises, and gym-based exercises. By employing multivariate linear regression and fixed effects regression models, the research aimed to quantitatively analyze how public interest in these activities varied throughout the pandemic and assess the influence of pandemic severity on these changes.

After accounting for cyclical factors, significant shifts in search volumes were observed for various physical activities. During the pandemic, the daily search volume for Home Exercises surged by 2,759.088 (95% CI, 2310.236 to 3207.939; P < 0.001), while Outdoor Exercises and Gym-based Exercises saw declines of 562.160 (95% CI, -623.406 to -500.914; P < 0.001) and 478.895 (95% CI, -507.373 to -450.416; P < 0.001), respectively. Post-pandemic, searches further decreased across all categories: Outdoor Exercises by 478.254 (95% CI, -553.274 to -403.235; P = 0.003), Home Exercises by 1,115.101 (95% CI, -1664.892 to -565.310; P = 0.008), and Gym-based Exercises by 752.718 (95% CI, -787.601 to -717.835; P < 0.001), all compared to 2019 levels. Additionally, the severity of the pandemic impacted search volumes negatively across most periods and exercise categories.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting negative effect on public interest in various physical activities, with a clear dose-response relationship that correlates with the severity of the outbreak. These findings underscore the need for tailored physical activity initiatives adapted to different regions and types of activities to enhance public health outcomes.