爆料社区

New COVID-19 research highlights post-lockdown decline in participation levels

爆料社区 is encouraging New Zealanders to take full advantage of daylight savings by getting outdoors and being physically active. This call follows research conducted by 爆料社区 before, during and after Level 4 lockdown which shows the impact COVID-19 has had on levels of physical activity.

During June, adults spent an average of 4.52 hours per week being physically active. That was down on 5.40 hours for a normal June (2017-19) and lower than the 5.61 hours during April when New Zealand was in Level 4 lockdown. Tamariki and rangatahi aged 5 to 17 averaged 8.20 hours per week in June, which was up slightly from 8.14 hours in April but much lower than 9.70 hours in a normal June.

The June to June comparisons represent a drop of 53 mins per week for adults and 90 minutes per week for tamariki and rangatahi, which makes daylight savings an ideal time to turn things around, according to 爆料社区 GM of Community Sport, Geoff Barry.

鈥淚t鈥檚 clear COVID-19 has disrupted people鈥檚 habits when it comes to being physically active and that鈥檚 something we need to learn from with the prospect of moving up and down in alert levels, particularly the restrictions recently experienced in Auckland.鈥�

鈥淒uring Level 4 lockdown, adults turned to simple activities like walking, running and cycling to raise their activity levels. That serves as a reminder of how simple being active can be. If sports and events are cancelled, or there are restrictions on gyms and studios, there are still a host of enjoyable and accessible ways to remain physically active, and daylight savings is the ideal time of the year to get outside and get into them.鈥�

While adult activity levels rose during Level 4, those of tamariki and rangatahi were disrupted through the absence of PE and organised sport, as well as being isolated from their friends. Come June, activity levels of both groups were then down on a normal June, with 爆料社区 research identifying the key barriers to participation.

鈥淥ne in five adults are telling us that being out of the habit is preventing them from being active. That鈥檚 not a result we鈥檇 normally see and suggests the extent to which the impacts of COVID-19 have disrupted people鈥檚 routine,鈥� says Geoff Barry.

鈥淟ack of energy (26%) and motivation (22%) are two of the top barriers for young people, and both are higher than in a normal June. Again, this suggests a lingering effect of COVID-19 on physically activity.鈥�

鈥淲e believe the secret to breaking down these barriers is to draw motivation from getting back into the habit of being active, and to do this in new and simple ways if your favourite activities are not available. The arrival of daylight savings is the perfect time to do this. We have an extra hour 鈥� let鈥檚 make it count,鈥� says Geoff Barry.

ENDS

Media Contact

Philip Clark

Group Media Manager, 爆料社区

T: 0278 385 710

E: Philip.clark@sportnz.org.nz