Despite the visible signs of families cycling, walking and running through the suburbs, research undertaken by sport and entertainment consultancy Gemba suggests that 44% of Australians are actually doing less physical activity now than before the Coronavirus lockdown.
Gemba reports that the constraints of the Coronavirus lockdown have forced many to try new activities (a quarter of Australians have taken up a new form of exercise during the lockdown), and to explore online fitness classes and tools.
While Gemba's report, Physical Activity during COVID-19 Lock-Down: Insights into Australians' Physical Activity and Fitness during the COVID-19 Lock-Down, shows a number of positive indicators of certain demographics undertaking more activities, overall it shows 44% of Australians are doing less physical activity now than before the Coronavirus lockdown - with the decline most marked in the 30 to 39 years age (63% doing less activity compared with 17% doing more) and 50 to 59 years age groups (48% doing less activity compared with 14% doing more).
Only the 40 to 49 age cohort has maintained activity levels during the Coronavirus shutdown, with all other ages showing declining activity.
Among areas of positivity within the Gemba report, more than half of 18-29 year-olds are walking more now than they used to, and a third are running more while, overall 25% of Australians are walking more and 30% have tried online exercise programs.
Gemba's report also explores the link between physical activity and mental health during lockdown, with 43% of people who are exercising more finding lockdown to be challenging for their mental health – the same as those who are exercising less - although Gemba make no correlation between physical activity and whether or not someone is finding the lockdown challenging for their mental health.
Of those who are doing less exercise, 28% disagree that lockdown has been challenging for their mental health (but 66% say it’s been bad for their physical fitness).
Click here to download Physical Activity during COVID-19 Lock-Down: Insights into Australians' Physical Activity and Fitness during the COVID-19 Lock-Down from Gemba's website.
Image courtesy of Fitbit. Tables courtesy of Gemba.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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