Evolution of physical activity habits after a context change: The case of COVID‐19 lockdown

• DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12524
• Publication Date: 2021-04-06T12:26:00Z
• Authors: Silvio Maltagliati; Amanda Rebar; Layan Fessler; Cyril Forestier; Philippe Sarrazin; Aïna Chalabaev; David Sander; Hasmini Sivaramak...; Dan Orsholits; Matthieu P. Boisg...; Nikos Ntoumanis; Benjamin Gardner; Boris Cheval
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Pandemic

Objective Habits, defined as well‐learned associations between cues and behaviours, are essential for health‐related including physical activity (PA). Despite the sensitivity of habits to context changes, little remains known about influence a change on interplay PA behaviours. We investigated evolution amidst spring COVID‐19 lockdown, major change. Moreover, we examined association behaviours autonomous motivation with this evolution. Design Three‐wave observational longitudinal design. Methods habits, were collected through online surveys in 283 French Swiss participants. Variables self‐reported reference three time‐points: before‐, mid‐, end‐lockdown. Results Mixed effect modelling revealed decrease from before‐ mid‐lockdown, especially among individuals strong before‐lockdown habits. Path analysis showed that not associated mid‐lockdown (β = −.02, p .837), while positively related end‐lockdown .23, .021). Autonomous was directly ( s < .001) withto (but behaviours) did moderate relations > .072). Conclusion altered, their impeded during lockdown. Engagement helped counteracting disruption.