Don’t Walk So Close to Me: Physical Distancing and Adult Physical Activity in Canada

This study used data from a national physical activity tracking app (ParticipACTION app) to determine physical activity levels immediately prior to and following the implementation of physical distancing measures in Canada. Finding showed that MVPA, LPA, and steps significantly declined immediately following the declaration of the pandemic. However, 6 weeks following pandemic declaration, MVPA had returned to pre-pandemic levels, while LPA steps remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. Minimizing the loss of incidental physical activity should be a public health priority in response to future pandemics or a second wave of a COVID-19 infection.