A sharp decline in physical activity during lockdown

The travel restrictions and isolation imposed by the lockdown have significantly reduced physical activity2 among the population. Specifically:

• Nearly half of those surveyed reported a decrease in their physical activity

• Nearly 6 in 10 people engaged in less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day during lockdown.

On the other hand, the majority of French people maintained or even increased their level of sports activity during lockdown:

• 45% of them did not change their habits

• 18% nevertheless increased their sports participation

• 37% of respondents reported a decrease in their sports activity

This perceived increase in physical activity was reported more frequently by women.

Furthermore, 33% of those who engaged in physical activity at least once in the week preceding the ^survey3 reported using apps, videos, or television more often to engage in this physical activity (yoga, strength training, etc.).

It is noted that the increase in the use of these tools was greater among women. This is a habit that should be encouraged post-lockdown to maintain participation.

6 out of 10 people increased their screen time

The lockdown period was conducive to the use of new technologies to stay in touch with loved ones, stay informed, or keep busy (movies, TV shows, social media, etc.). Among those surveyed, 59% reported an increase in the time spent in front of a screen during their free time. The average time spent in front of a screen during free time was 5 hours per day during the lockdown.

Among all respondents, nearly a quarter reported spending 7 hours or more per day on screens.

The increase in screen time is most pronounced among young people, those with higher education, people who worked from home during lockdown, and those living in urban areas.

An average of nearly 6.5 hours spent sitting per day during lockdown

Santé publique France also asked respondents about the time spent sitting:

• 61% of respondents reported an increase in time spent sitting

• The average time spent sitting was 6 hours and 19 minutes per day

One-third of respondents reported spending more than 7 hours sitting per day.

Among all respondents, 45% reported getting up several times per hour, while the recommendation during lockdown was to do so at least every half hour. The majority, 55%, got up less frequently.

Regarding indicators of sedentary behavior—time spent sitting, insufficiently frequent breaks from sitting, and screen time—we observe that young adults, people who worked from home during lockdown, and those living in urban areas are the groups most affected.

Tailored recommendations on Mangerbouger.fr during the lockdown

During lockdown, the Mangerbouger website served as a source of information and ideas for better eating and physical activity. In fact, the French embraced this site, as evidenced by record-breaking traffic during lockdown, with an overall 60% increase in traffic compared to the same period in 2019. The most visited pages during the lockdown period were recipe pages, physical activity exercises (+308%), and articles dedicated to COVID-19.

Engaging in physical activity and/or sports means doing everything possible to improve your quality of life, your sleep, and, in the long term, reduce the risk of disease.

The end of lockdown is an ideal time to resume daily physical activities. However, special attention must be paid to sedentary behavior and breaking sedentary habits for those who continue to work from home.