Association of morningness-eveningness preference with physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing: a cross-sectional survey in Brazil Circadian rhythm, physical activity and isolation

Author(s)

Oliveira, Gustavo F. ^{[1, 2]} ; Marin, Thais C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Apolinario, Nicolas ^{[1, 2]} ; Rosa-Silva, Julia ^{[2, 3]} ; Azevedo, Luan ^[3] ; Ceciliato, Julio ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva-Batista, Carla ^{[1, 4]} ; Brito, Leandro C. ^{[1, 2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Chronobiol & Exercise Physiol Res Grp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Exercise Hemodynam Lab, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Exercise Neurosci Res Grp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL; v. 38, n. 10, p. 1432-1440, OCT 3 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Social distancing (SDIST) to contain COVID-19 pandemic spread implies reduced sunlight exposure and social daily life, which delay the circadian system and increase eveningness preference. The regular practice of physical activity (PA) is a time cue that decreased during SDIST. However, it is unknown if decreased PA may be associated with increase of eveningness preference. This study aimed to investigate if PA changes might be associated with changes in the morningness-eveningness preference of individuals practicing SDIST in Brazil. For this, 322 adults (18-89 years-old) regularly living in Brazil between March and October 2020 answered an online survey including questions considering the before and during SDIST period on PA (min/week) and morningness-eveningness questionnaire score. Sociodemographic, SDIST, anthropometric, and health characteristics were also included in the online survey. Participants self-reported an increase of eveningness preference comparing Before-SDIST with During-SDIST scores (56 +/- 12 vs. 52 +/- 13, p < .0001). Self-reported PA decreased comparing Before-SDIST with During-SDIST (230 +/- 170 vs. 149 +/- 155 min/week, p < .0001). Decrease in the total volume of PA and hours spent outside per day, and higher body mass index were associated with the increase in eveningness preference (R-2 = .077), although the decrease in the total volume of PA was the strongest association (R-2 = .037). In summary, our results show that SDIST may cause a delay in the circadian system, which is associated with the decrease of PA, a reduction in the hours spent outside per day with sunlight exposure, and obesity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/05226-0 - Influence of time of day in which aerobic training is performed on training-induced autonomic and vascular adaptations in hypertensive elderly
• Grantee: Leandro Campos de Brito
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/11588-2 - Bright light influence on vasodilation induced by dynamic handgrip exercise
• Grantee: Julia Maria Rosa da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation