Over 65s exercising more than before lockdown, UCL study finds

Over 65s are exercising more than they did prior to lockdown, a study by University College London (UCL) has found.

Researchers tracked data from a free activity-tracking smartphone app to find how much physical activity different age groups took part in before, during and after lockdown.

They found that most exercise habits changed during the pandemic, with most people doing less exercise once lockdowns began.

The biggest drop was seen in people under the age of 40 and those who were most active before the pandemic.

The study found that younger people did more physical activity before lockdown, but the least after it was lifted.

However, over-65s remained more active throughout lockdown and also increased their levels of exercise as soon as lockdown was eased.

Dr Jennifer Cole, a Biological Anthropologist, at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: “People over 65 are generally retired, and may simply be returning to pre-lockdown lifestyles of walking the dog in the morning or walking to their local shops in the afternoon, whereas younger people are more likely to be tied to working from home during the day.

“Older people's social lives are more likely to be centred around a daytime tea and cake in a local cafe, which is now open, rather than a late night nightclub, which isn't.

“Another alternative is that the higher risk age group a person falls into, the more the pandemic may have shocked them into adopting a healthier lifestyle - losing weight to reduce their risk of comorbidities such as heart disease or diabetes, for example.

“It may have made them more aware of their mortality than was the case for other groups.”

The study, submitted to Journal of Medical Internet Research journal, analysed data from 5,395 app users living in the UK. All had been using the app since January this year, before lockdown restrictions were in place.

Dr Charlie Foster OBE, from the University of Bristol, said: “The study should remind the UK Government that all physical activity matters and those who used to be active in other ways are now struggling to restart and regain their pre-lockdown levels.

“This will have long-term consequences on groups in the population with the least access and resources to exercise and play sports.

“Add in economic and employment impacts and the legacy of Covid-19 could be a nation struggling with poorer physical and mental health.”