During the fifth wave of the epidemic, the government implemented different social distancing measures, including closing gyms, disrupting the exercise habits of Hong Kong people, and even appearing “epidemic fat”! A survey found that more than half (52.7%) of the respondents gained weight during the closure of sports premises and fitness studios, of which nearly three adults (28.1%) gained at least 6 pounds.
The Asian Academy of Exercise and Fitness Professionals (AASFP) interviewed more than 700 sports enthusiasts from the 20th to the 28th of last month to learn about the physical condition of the public during the fifth wave of the epidemic, during the suspension of sports premises and gymnasiums. form of movement. According to the research, 36.8% of the respondents maintain exercise through “home fitness”, and some choose outdoor activities such as running (12%) and hiking (11.3%) to maintain their physical activity. But at the same time, 26.8% of the respondents said that there was no alternative, so the amount of exercise during the fifth wave of the epidemic was greatly reduced.
Zhou Jinhao, CEO and registered physiotherapist of the Asian Academy of Sports and Physical Fitness, said that the significant reduction in exercise during the epidemic will not only increase weight, but also cause problems such as muscle loss and physical decline. He pointed out that 78.5% of the respondents felt that their physical fitness or health had declined; 47.9% of them believed that their physical fitness or health had dropped by at least 30%, and 16% of the respondents said that their weight may be caused by muscle loss and decline.
Now that sports venues and fitness studios have reopened, more than half (55.1%) of the respondents said they prefer to choose a 24-hour fitness center as a place to exercise, followed by outdoor sports courts (23.7%) and home exercise or fitness (23.2%). Nearly 60% of them said that they were free to choose time periods with less crowds to exercise, and another 40% of them could only exercise at night, late at night or in the early morning due to work and life needs.
Recently, the number of confirmed cases has been on the rise. When asked if she is worried about the gym being closed again, 24/7 Fitness director and CEO Huang Jingyi admitted that she has this concern. However, she said, “As an operator, all the epidemic prevention measures that can be done have been completed,” and that the employees have survived the previous waves of epidemics with one heart, and are confident that they can cope with the outbreak of the epidemic again.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/local/epidemic closed gym-more than half of the respondents-epidemic fat-citizens tend to choose 24-hour fitness centers/328772