Worldwide physical activity trends since COVID-19 onset

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly all aspects of daily life worldwide. Public health interventions necessary to curb disease spread could have unintended consequences that adversely influence long-term health outcomes beyond near-term mortality.1 For example, step counts—a proxy for physical activity2—were markedly lower early in the COVID-19 pandemic than pre-pandemic.3 As the global pandemic persists despite vaccines, understanding its long-term ramifications on physical activity—an important determinant of health4—is crucial, and might help to inform public health and regional policy decisions.