Pandemic Paunch? Stay Active with 'Movement Snacks'

The International Journal of Exercise Science published a study titled The Acute Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students and Employees recently. It highlighted the need for more daily movement—something I call "movement snacks"—now more than ever.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most universities across the United States closed campuses, sent students home, and transitioned from face-to-face classes to remote learning. Such changes, coupled with physical distancing guidelines, and various levels of quarantine, have altered social interactions and limited our access to fitness facilities, studios, and gyms. 

It’s not just university students, either—younger children have had more sedentary time during the pandemic. In fact, the CBC (Candian Broadcasting Corporation) reports that just five percent of Canadian children met basic physical activity guidelines early in the pandemic. 

And another study on older adults, called The COVID-19 pandemic and physical activity, reported "Unfortunately, modern lifestyle behaviors promote physical inactivity and sedentariness. These poor lifestyle behaviors are intensified by social distancing and self-imposed or government-mandated quarantine measures intended to reduce COVID-19 spread."

Spending some time in a gym or at a fitness class is great, but it should take a backseat to making regular movement a part of daily life.

I probably don’t need to even say this, but I believe this is a big problem. Both social interaction and access to exercise facilities promote physical activity. But many people still are of the mind that a gym, club, or studio is the best (and perhaps the only) way to get physical movement into their day. And worse yet, they believe that once they've checked that workout off their to-do list, they're free to loaf about for the remainder of the day.

If you have been following me for any amount of time, you know that I believe in the importance of living an active lifestyle. Spending some time in a gym or at a fitness class is great, but it should take a backseat to making regular movement a part of daily life.

The past few months have made it even more evident than ever that more of us need to adopt this philosophy. 

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