How has lockdown impacted on wellbeing and access to exercise

Healthwatch West Sussex undertook research on exercise and well being in April 2021 and compared the results with a similar survey in 2019.  They heard from 100 people. people’s health and wellbeing and that many people’s health has deteriorated. ‘The lock down

Less than half of respondents stated they are physically and mentally healthy post pandemic, compared to around two thirds pre-pandemic. Three in ten reported physical and over a quarter mental health and wellbeing concerns.

Coming out of lockdown, nearly nine in ten respondents reported they did some form of exercise every week with the majority, doing more than 4 hours per week. Pre-pandemic only 4% of respondents did less than 1 hour (of exercise) this increased to 14% coming out of lockdown.

Working Age respondents aged 26 – 49-years had a less positive perception of their health and wellbeing between the two timeframes. Many people reported that the lack of access to exercise during the pandemic had impacted on their social lives, which has negatively affected their mental and physical health. Nearly two thirds felt they are not doing as much exercise as they would like or feel they need to which is similar to pre-pandemic levels.

Sixteen percent had lost confidence to go out and exercise since the lockdowns. Over one in five had been unable to access health and wellbeing services of some kind during the pandemic.

The report contains 4 sets of recommendations to improve access to exercise.