Research launched to explore impact of Covid-19 on the region’s physical activity back to News
Three local Active Partnerships have joined forces to learn more about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected levels of physical activity.
In April 2020, Tees Valley Sport developed a survey after working closely with academics at Teesside University, to understand the levels of physical activity across the North East and the barriers faced when trying to remain physically active during the first lockdown of the pandemic. Dr Natalie Connor, Louise Morris and Gemma Nelson (Tees Valley Sport) worked with Dr Alison Innerd, Dr Emma Giles and Lynsey Bainbridge (School of Health and Life Sciences) to explore how the introduction of lockdown measures, including limiting exercise to once a day, had an impact on behaviour. The team of researchers also looked at the impact of government policy alongside other factors such as environment and social settings.
As the survey collected data for the whole of the North East, findings were shared with Rise and County Durham Sport. With data that is specific to these areas, it was hoped that findings would help to provide insight across the region.
Findings in Tees Valley
- During the lockdown of spring 2020, people in Tees Valley adapted to find ways of being active both outdoors and at home.
- With team sports and leisure venues off-limits, walking saw a surge in popularity as people were allowed out of their home once a day for exercise.
- Walking, running and cycling were the top 3 most popular forms of activity.
- For many families, this was a positive opportunity to spend more gadget-free time together – many struggled between exercise for their children or themselves (difficulty differentiating exercise for the whole family).
- Online platforms were also popular for exercise at home. Many people said that they could see themselves continuing to use online platforms for exercise after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
- For others, anxieties about safety, coming into contact with others, and low motivation made physical activity a challenge – meaning that many people were less physically active than usual during this difficult time.
- People felt the rules and guidance from the UK Government were unclear.
- Very few people viewed guidance on physical activity (age/disability specific).
- Over 80% of participants felt confident and that they had the skills to adapt their physical activity behaviours.
How will we use these findings going forward?
- The increase in walking across the Tees Valley is an area to build on. We will promote walking as an enjoyable, accessible, family-friendly green activity.
- Online exercise was well received, beneficial for peoples physical and mental health, and offered many businesses the opportunity to remain open. However, we must also be mindful of how sustainable it is, and how this offer is only accessible to those with the required space, equipment and internet access.
- We will continue to signpost people to the latest physical activity guidelines from Sport England.
- Family can play a big part in influencing physical activity behaviours in the home setting, which is an area that could benefit from targeted support.
- The shift from team to individual activity requires further exploration, to ensure we are supporting these changes to take part as a participant but for delivery partners also.
- Encouraging people to continue enjoying a walk outdoors as we move through a difficult winter will have positive benefits for mental and physical wellbeing.
Following on from this, and as a result of the second national lockdown, which commenced on 5 November, the three active partnerships joined forces to develop and release a second survey, to further measure the experiences of people living in the North East and their relationship with physical activity during the ongoing pandemic and the impact of the newly introduced tiered system.
It is hoped the collaboration between the active partnerships and university will encourage a more joined up approach to researching the health and wellbeing of communities across the region, with scope to use results to shape future work being done by Tees Valley Sport, Rise and County Durham Sport respectively, to decrease inequalities after the pandemic.
To support the work of the three local active partnerships and the university, as many people as possible are encouraged to complete the survey, which can be found here: https://teesside.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/physical-activity-and-covid-19-survey-nov-2020-lockdown-2
For further information, please contact: Dr Natalie Connor (n.connor@tees.ac.uk)
View the findings here
Posted on 17th December 2020
