Introduction
Methods
Participants and design
Measures
Socio-demographics
Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen time and sleep
Psychosocial variables
Changes in physical activity and strategies to engage in physical activity (qualitative)
Ethical approval
Data analysis
Quantitative component
Qualitative component
Results
Data missingness and representativeness
Descriptive statistics
Socio-demographics and health behaviours
Variable | Total n | n (%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Gender | Femalea | 1196 | 920 (77) |
Relationship | Single | 1191 | 78 (7) |
Divorced/widowed | 306 (26) | ||
In a relationship | 53 (4) | ||
Married/cohabiting | 754 (63) | ||
Health condition | Yes | 1198 | 624 (52) |
Two or more | 170 (14) | ||
Education | Did not complete | 1392 | 72 (6) |
GCSE/O-levelsb | 113 (10) | ||
Post-16 vocational course | 40 (3) | ||
Highers/A-levelsb | 121 (10) | ||
Undergraduate degreeb | 545 (47) | ||
Postgraduate degree | 277 (24) | ||
SIMD deprivation quintilec | 1 (most deprived) | 1094 | 89 (8) |
2 | 142 (13) | ||
3 | 229 (21) | ||
4 | 282 (26) | ||
5 (least deprived) | 351 (32) | ||
Urban/rural 3-fold classificationd | ‘Rest of Scotland’ | 1094 | 826 (69) |
Accessible rural | 199 (17) | ||
Remote rural | 69 (6) |
Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen time and sleep
n | All | Men | Women | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Weekly PA from IPAQ: | ||||
Vigorous PA (min/wk) | 1193 | 30.0 (0, 180.0) | 45.0 (0, 210.0) | 20.0 (0, 140.0) |
Moderate PA (min/wk) | 1193 | 90.0 (0, 240.0) | 120.0 (0, 300.0) | 80.0 (0, 240.0) |
Walking PA (min/wk) | 1193 | 270.0 (100.0, 420.0) | 270.0 (120.0, 450.0) | 240.0 (80.0, 420.0) |
Total PA (min/wk) | 1193 | 525.0 (240.0, 900.0) | 590.0 (290.0, 1020.0) | 477.5 (180.0, 840.0) |
Other PA and SB variables: | ||||
Light PA: (min/wk) | 1195 | 307.5 (140.0, 630.0) | 210.0 (80.0, 420.0) | 300.0 (120.0, 630.0) |
Screen time hours per day | 1193 | 3.0 (2.0, 5.0) | 3.0 (2.0, 5.0) | 3.0 (2.0, 5.0) |
Sitting time hours per day | 1191 | 5.0 (3.0, 7.0) | 5.0 (3.0, 8.0) | 5.0 (3.0, 8.0) |
Sleep variables | ||||
Bedtime (hh:mm) | 1188 | 23:00 (22:30, 23:30) | 23:00 (22:30, 00:00) | 23:00 (22:30, 23:30) |
Wake up time (hh:mm) | 1188 | 08:00 (07:00, 08:30) | 08:00 (07:00, 08:30) | 8:00 (07:00, 09:00) |
All | Men | Women | |
---|---|---|---|
IPAQ Physical activity categoryb | |||
Low PA | 252 (21) | 40 (14) | 212 (23) |
Mod PA | 427 (36) | 99 (36) | 328 (36) |
High PA | 515 (43)a | 136 (49) | 377 (41) |
Strength training category | |||
Yes (≥2d) | 155 (13)a | 38 (14) | 115 (12) |
No | 1044 (87) | 238 (86) | 806 (88) |
Meeting both components of PA guidelines | |||
Yes | 140 (12)a | 36 (13) | 102 (11) |
No | 1054 (88) | 239 (87) | 815 (89) |
Sleep categoryc | |||
Short sleeper | 520 (44)a | 96 (35) | 423 (46) |
Ideal sleeper | 616 (52)a | 164 (60) | 451 (50) |
Long sleeper | 51 (4) | 15 (5) | 36 (4) |
Health-related quality of life, loneliness, and social support/contact
Variable | Mean (SD) |
---|---|
EQ 5D-3L score (out of 15)a | 6.7 (1.6) |
Current health rating (out of 100) | 72.5 (19.9) |
Loneliness score (out of 24) | 12.7 (4.7) |
Perceived Social Support score (average out of 6) | 3.8 (1.0) |
Social network size | 5.5 (5.1) |
Social contact (days per week) | 5.4 (1.9) |
Social time (hours per week) | 7.0 (8.7) |
Change in physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen time, and sleep
Variable | Less | Same | More |
---|---|---|---|
IPAQ vigorous PA | 462 (39) | 553 (46) | 183 (15) |
IPAQ moderate PA | 460 (38) | 579 (48) | 159 (13) |
IPAQ walking time | 458 (38) | 417 (35) | 323 (27) |
Light PA | 329 (27) | 717 (60) | 152 (13) |
Strength training time | 262 (22) | 869 (72) | 67 (6) |
Sitting time | 80 (7) | 442 (37) | 676 (56) |
Screen time | 42 (4) | 416 (35) | 740 (62) |
Sleep volume | 328 (27) | 801 (67) | 69 (6) |
Association of physical activity with loneliness and health-related quality of life
Categorical predictor variables
Scale predictor variables
Qualitative results
Changes in physical activity and strategies to engage in physical activity (qualitative)
It is also worth noting that several participants reported that social distancing had assisted with their injury management, and so although they were injured and/or recovering, the regulations on social distancing and lockdown afforded them time to recover and improve their physical activity: “Lots more walking. Up to 6 miles a day. Weather dependent though. Had hip replacement in December and this had been FANTASTIC for it. And for me in general. Loving the activity.” (66y Female, accessible rural).“A few weeks before social distancing I had a heart attack and 2 stents fitted. Lock down precluded cardiac rehab classes. Cardiac physio sent exercise DVDs from cardiac rehab and [month] ago I was referred to local council. … I currently use the online videos” (66y Female, Rest of Scotland).
It was interesting to note how few responses included the element of time (or lack thereof) with regard to changes in physical activity relative to other responses detailed above. Based on the volume of responses, it appeared that in the context of all pandemic-related challenges, time was not a major barrier for adults aged 60 years and over. However, when time was mentioned, it was both a facilitator (where someone reported having more time) and a barrier (where someone reported having less or no time), albeit less frequently. In several instances, time was linked to employment (or lack thereof due to being furloughed) or other responsibilities: “Knowing that I was going to be home all day for a rather long time, I decided to incorporate a workout into my daily schedule.” (65y Female, Rest of Scotland).“I haven't started any new physical activities. I walk almost every day round a park, to shops etc. I have been cycling a bit more recently. Part of the reason for that is the nice weather we have experienced in recent weeks. … My routine has not changed a lot because I am retired, and I walk as much as I can, anyway.” (61y Female, accessible rural).
and“I started exercising accompanied by better diet and using a treadmill. Going for more walks has increased my fitness, lowered my weight and increased my mobility. The increased mobility has meant that I can now manage steeper inclines, walk faster and for longer periods. The change is that I'm actually exercising, which I found almost impossible before. I didn't do anything physical because I was overweight and in discomfort. I've lost almost 1st 11 lbs and at almost 67 yrs old, I feel so much better. I probably wouldn't have done it if lockdown hadn't happened.” (66y Female, accessible rural)
“I have a gym membership but [don’t] like classes because they are too busy so online zoom has been brilliant for me. I can see a change in my shape for the better. I am going to continue running several times a week. I didn't run at all before lockdown” (66y Female, rest of Scotland)
Several participants also elaborated further on their lived experience and how the time of social distancing paved the way for a positive future, sometimes through their strategies to remain physically active:“I had covid and now have long tail covid. My family are wary that I may still be infectious. My physical activity is very curtailed. I used to row competitively, cycle, yoga, walk everywhere. I can only manage slow, short walks. I am signed off sick from work.” (62y Female, rest of Scotland).
“I had time on my hands during lockdown and was worried about my weight and my diabetes putting me at greater risk of a bad outcome if I contracted covid-19. I decided to join an online health and fitness plan, which has been a great success. In 2 months I have lost over 2 [stone]. I now walk every day routinely more than 10,000 steps a day. I have also joined the One Million Step Challenge. In addition to this, I have discovered another strand of support in my online group and online coach. As a result of joining this programme, I am now [eating] only wholefoods and following a low-carb diet. I believe my blood sugars are back under control, I no longer have sugar cravings, I am sleeping much better and I am now not nearly as anxious as I was previously.” (61y Female, rest of Scotland),