Examining Physical Activity Behaviors and Psychometric Beliefs of College Students Before and After the COVID-19 Shutdown

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine PA behaviors, social support and self-efficacy for PA, Rosenberg self-esteem, and perceptions of body weight before and after the COVID-19 shutdown (March 15, 2020) among the college demographic. Participants: 311 college students from a four-year, comprehensive, southeastern university in the United States were included in the study from December 1, 2020 until March 5, 2021. Methods: Surveys were conducted via Qualtrics, an online survey system, and consisted of approximately 40 items, including demographic information, PA behaviors, social support and exercise, self-esteem, self-efficacy to exercise, and perceptions of body weight and self-image. Additionally, the questionnaires included pre-screening questions related to age, enrollment at a southeastern university, COVID-19 results, and contact tracing associated with COVID-19. Results: Dependent (paired samples) t-tests suggested that all measured variables were significantly higher before the COVID-19 shutdown occurred (prior to March 15, 2020) than after the shutdown: vigorous PA (M= 2.57; M= 2.00; p= \u3c.001), moderate PA (M= 3.29; M= 2.68; p= \u3c.001), walking-only PA (M= 4.64; M= 4.17; p= \u3c.001), social support for PA (M=22.47; M=21.06; p=.007), self-efficacy for PA (M=15.16; M=13.96; p=\u3c.001), self-esteem (M=24.05; M=24.88; p=.002), and body image (M=8.72; M=9.11; p =.002). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PA levels measured significantly decreased upon the COVID-19 shutdown, as well as several psychometric factors that could be related to physical well-being, highlighting the importance of PA. Campuses and recreation centers should continue to offer safe and effective recreational activities and health services, whether students are on or off campus