How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our physical activity habits

Habits, defined as well-learned associations between cues and behaviours, are essential in the regulation of physical activity (PA). Despite the sensitivity of habits to context changes, little remains known about the influence of a context change on the interplay between PA habits and behaviours. In this study, we drew on the example of the Spring COVID-19 lockdown in France and Switzerland to examine the evolution of PA habits following such a major context change. Moreover, following the discontinuity and self-activation hypotheses, we examined the association of PA behaviours and autonomous motivation with this evolution. Using a three-wave observational longitudinal design, PA habits, behaviours, and autonomous motivation were collected through online surveys in 283 French and Swiss participants (age = 40 ± 18 years, 60% women; 73% French). Variables were self-reported with reference to three time-points: before-, mid-, and end-lockdown. Variables related to the before lockdown period were retrospectively measured at the first wave of measurement, about two weeks after the beginning of the lockdown. Mixed effect modelling revealed a global decrease in PA habits from before- to mid- lockdown (B = -.16, p < .001), especially among individuals with strong before-lockdown habits (B = -.30, p < .001). In contrast, participants with weak before lockdown habits reported an increase in PA habits from before to mid-lockdown (B = .58, p < .001), but this increase was decelerated from mid- to end-lockdown (B = -.51, p = .002). Path analysis showed that before-lockdown PA habits were not associated with mid-lockdown PA behaviours (B = -.02, p = .837), while mid-lockdown PA habits were positively related to end-lockdown PA behaviours (B = .23, p = .021). Autonomous motivation was directly associated with PA habits (ps. < .001), to before- and mid-lockdown PA behaviours (ps. < .001) (but not to end-lockdown PA behaviours) and did not moderate the relations between PA behaviours and habits (ps. > .072). Our findings suggest that PA habits were altered following this context change, especially among individuals with strong before lockdown habits. On the contrary, as proposed by the discontinuity hypothesis, individuals with weak before-lockdown habits may have took advantage of this context change to develop PA habits. Although the effect of PA habits on behaviours was impeded during the COVID-19 lockdown, engagement in PA behaviours and autonomous motivation helped in counteracting PA habits disruption. Our study raises theoretical and practical implications regarding the promotion of PA following a context change.