Physical activity, well-being, and priorities of older women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of Women’s Health Initiative Strong and Healthy (WHISH) intervention participants

• Published in: Translational behavioral medicine Vol. 11; no. 12; pp. 2155 - 2163
• Main Authors: Wegner, Lauren, Mendoza-Vasconez, Andrea S, Mackey, Sally, McGuire, Valerie, To, Cynthia, White, Bailey, King, Abby C, Stefanick, Marcia L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 14-12-2021
• Subjects: Aged; Aged women; Control; COVID-19; Demographic aspects; Epidemics; Exercise; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Influence; Original Research; Pandemics - prevention & control; Physiological aspects; Psychological aspects; Quality of life; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Women's Health; United States; COVID-19; Older women; Physical activity; Behavioral resilience
• ISSN: 1869-6716; 1613-9860
• DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibab122

Abstract
Sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and other strategies to minimize COVID-19 transmission may impact physical activity (PA) and well-being in older adults. To assess self-reported PA changes, well-being, and priorities of older women across the USA early in the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, a 10-question survey was emailed to 5,822 women, aged over 70 years, who had been assigned to the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Strong and Healthy (WHISH) trial PA intervention and had provided email addresses. The survey assessed general and physical well-being, current priorities, and PA levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographic and physical function data were collected previously. Descriptive analyses characterized participants’ priorities and PA changes from before the pandemic to the time of data collection during the pandemic. Differences in PA change by age, physical function, and geographic region were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Dunn tests. Among 2,876 survey respondents, 89% perceived their general well-being as good, very good, or excellent, despite 90% reporting at least moderate (to extreme) concern about the pandemic, with 18.2% reporting increased PA levels, 27.1% reporting no changes, and 54.7% reporting decreased PA levels. Top priorities “in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak” were staying in touch with family/friends (21%) and taking care of one’s body (20%). Among priorities related to physical well-being, staying active was selected most frequently (33%). Support for maintaining PA in older populations should be a priority during a pandemic and similarly disruptive events.
Nearly half of women aged 70 years and over who completed an emailed survey early in the COVID-19 pandemic reported maintaining or even increasing their physical activity levels.