Abstract:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government
enforced a strict lockdown during March and April 2020. Strategies to assist
people with maintaining physical activity (PA) became important, and online
fitness communities (OFC) offered virtual assistance. This study aimed to
investigate the benefits of participating in OFC on physical and mental health
during lockdown level 5 in South Africa. The study utilised an online survey
which included the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire. Participants
maintained PA before and during lockdown (n=335; p=0.5). However,
significant declines in PA were reported for those who did not find an OFC
helpful in achieving exercise goals (p=0.004), nor motivating in pursuing
fitness (p=0.001), and not helpful in alleviating perceived feelings of
depression and/or anxiety (p=0.001). Participants who indicated that
lockdown positively impacted motivation and that OFC were motivating in
achieving fitness goals showed a significant improvement in PA (p=0.003).
The proven effectiveness of OFC should encourage all health and fitness
practitioners to integrate them for current and future use.
