Smart technology for physical activity and health assessment during COVID-19 lockdown

BACKGROUND: The worldwide lockdown in response to COVID-19 pandemics has often led to physical inactivity and social distancing. When combined, these factors may affect quality and life and increase the risk of different diseases. Therefore, assessment of physical activity levels should be encouraged to monitor and identify those at a higher risk of inactivity. Smart technology is a promising tool to assess physical activity and health and may be particularly useful during a period of general lockdown. METHODS: An online survey was developed and shared among the Italian general population to collect data about physical activity and daily routine changes between January 2020 and the lockdown period from March 23 to March 29. Participants were asked to provide data such as daily step count (Steps) or heart rate (HR) measured and collected by their smart technology devices. RESULTS: Four hundred participants were included in the final analysis. During the lockdown, the number of steps dropped from 8284 +/- 4390 to 3294 +/- 3994 steps (P<0.001), while mean peak HR decreased from 61.3 +/- 18.2% to 55.9 +/- 17.3%(P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide objective data about the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity, thus encouraging the use of smart devices to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles while faced with a confinement condition.