COVID-19 stay-at-home orders reduced physical activity in older African Americans
In a subset of older African American participants with valid actigraphy data, mean daily step count decreased significantly by 20.1% from 1646 to 1315 steps after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Nightly sleep duration decreased but not significantly from 7.1 to 6.9 hours.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
COVID-19 stay-at-home orders reduced physical activity in older African Americans The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
COVID-19 stay-at-home orders reduced physical activity in older African Americans
This conclusion is most relevant to: Older African American adults (mean age 76.6 years) from the Minority Aging Research Study (MARS).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸COVID-19 Impact on Health Behaviors and Survey Engagement in Older African Americans: Longitudinal Cohort Study. (JMIR formative research, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Stay-at-home order restricted movement and outdoor activities
- ▸Reduced opportunities for physical activity
- ▸Decreased daily step count
- ▸Potential negative impact on physical health
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Older African American adults (mean age 76.6 years) from the Minority Aging Research Study (MARS)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Actigraphy data available for only 15 participants due to COVID-19 and technical disruptions
- ▸Small sample size limits generalizability
- ▸Sleep duration change was not statistically significant
Frequently Asked Questions
How did COVID-19 affect physical activity in older African Americans?▼
Daily step count decreased significantly by 20.1% after the stay-at-home order, from 1646 to 1315 steps.
Did sleep duration change during COVID-19 in this population?▼
Nightly sleep duration decreased slightly from 7.1 to 6.9 hours, but this change was not statistically significant.
What was the sample size for the actigraphy analysis?▼
Only 15 participants had valid actigraphy data, due to technical issues and COVID-19 disruptions.
What is the significance of this finding?▼
It highlights the negative impact of public health restrictions on physical activity in an underserved population, emphasizing the need for interventions to maintain activity during disruptions.
References
- 1.Yildiz S, Mattek N, Steele J, Gothard S, James BD, Capuano AW, Barnes LL, Kaye JA, Beattie ZT. “COVID-19 Impact on Health Behaviors and Survey Engagement in Older African Americans: Longitudinal Cohort Study..” JMIR formative research, 2026. PMID: 42545733 DOI: 10.2196/79432