The Effect of COVID-19 Restrictions on Changes in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Was “A Double-Edged Sword”: It Improved for Some and Worsened for Others

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 1

Thank you!

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 2

Clear objectives of the study are missing. Please state them.

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -19 constraints. In addition, we hypothesized that the change in PA due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

We changed the title of the article. It is now more accurate and more suitable to the main idea of our analysis:Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was “a double-edged sword”: it improved for some and worsened for others“.

LINE: 6-8

The references must be improved extensively, they are insufficient for such an important topic of study

We supplemented references.

LINE: 399-403; 409-413; 437-440; 447-453; 486-489; 504-516

Expound on the current discussion with reference to various previous studies citing numerous of them to improve the scientific soundness of the study.

We supplemented

Our recently published research shows clearly that physical activity (especially at moderate and vigorous intensity) improves subjects' emotional intelligence and well-being significantly.

Skurvydas, A.; Lisinskiene, A.; Lochbaum, M.; Majauskiene, D.; Valanciene, D.; Dadeliene, R.; Fatkulina, N.; Sarkauskiene, A.  Physical Activity, Stress, Depression, Emotional Intelligence, Logical Thinking, and Overall Health in a Large Lithuanian from October 2019 to June 2020: Age and Gender Differences Adult Sample. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12809. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312809.

LINE: 59-61

In addition, our recent research has shown that COVID-19 in Lithuania represents "good stress" that makes these people move more and eat less.

Skurvydas, A.; Lisinskiene, A.; Lochbaum, M.; Majauskiene, D.; Valanciene, D.; Dadeliene, R.; Fatkulina, N.; Sarkauskiene, A.  Did COVID-19 Pandemic Change People‘s Physical Activity Distribution, Eating, and Alcohol Consumption Habits as well as Body Mass Index? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12405. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312405.

LINE: 87-89

Are the research design, questions, hypotheses and methods clearly stated?

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -A due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

We corrected the title of the article. It is now more accurate and more suitable to the main idea of our analysis:Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was “a double-edged sword”: it improved for some and worsened for others.

LINE: 6-8

We corrected Methods

LINE: 144-146; 170-174

Are the arguments and discussion of findings coherent, balanced and compelling?

We supplemented Discussion

With this, we added to the findings of other researchers, who showed that due to COVID-19 restrictions, people's physical activity decreased.

Ammar, A.; Brach, M.; Trabelsi, K.; Chtourou, H.; Boukhris, O.; Masmoudi, L.; Bouaziz, B.; Bentlage, E.; How, D.; Ahmed, M, .; Müller, P.; Müller, N.;Aloui, A.; Hammouda, O.; Paineiras-Domingos, L, L.; Braakman-Jansen, A.; Wrede, C.; Bastoni, S.; Pernambuco, C. S.; Mataruna, L.; Taheri, M.; Irandoust, K.; Khacharem, A.; Bragazzi, N. L.; Chamari, K.; Glenn, J. M.; Bott, N. T.; Gargouri, F.; Chaari, L.; Batatia, H.; Ali, G. M.; Abdelkarim, O.; Jarraya, M.; Abed, K. E.; Souissi, N.; Van Gemert-Pijnen, L.; Riemann, B. L.; Riemann, L.; Moalla, W.; Gómez-Raja, J.; Epstein, M.; Sanderman, R.; Schulz, S. V.; Jerg, A.; Al-Horani, R.; Mansi, T.; Jmail, M.; Barbosa, F.; Ferreira-Santos, F.; Šimunič, B.; Pišot, R.; Gaggioli, A.; Bailey, S. J.; Steinacker, J. M.; Driss, T.; Hoekelmann, A. Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey. Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1583. doi: 10.3390/nu12061583.

Stanton, R.; To, Q. G.; Khalesi, S.; Williams, S. L.; Alley, S. J.; Thwaite, T. L.; Fenning, A. S.; Vandelanotte, C. Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020, 17(11), 4065. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114065.

LINE: 311-312

For empirical research, are the results clearly presented?

We corrected Statistical analyses

We deleted Calculations were performed for observed power (OP); The value of partial eta squared () was estimated as a measure of the effect size, and coefficient B was estimated as a parameter of regression. Chi-square (c²) tests were performed to compare the differences between sexes. The relationship between variables was also assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

LINE: 170-174

We deleted :

In order not to overload the presentation of results, we refused observed power (OP) everywhere.

Is the article adequately referenced?

We have supplemented the article with recent citations from our research that directly link to this article (see above).

Are the conclusions thoroughly supported by the results presented in the article or referenced in secondary literature?

We deleted from Abstract: „Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic did not change MVPA, BMI, health status, but did increase depression symptoms, stress, and impulsivity.

LINE: 39-41

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 3

Are the research design, questions, hypotheses and methods clearly stated?

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -19 constraints. In addition, we hypothesized that the change in PA due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

We changed the title of the article. It is now more accurate and more suitable to the main idea of our analysis: Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was “a double-edged sword”: it improved for some and worsened for others“

LINE: 6-8

We corrected Methods

Are the arguments and discussion of findings coherent, balanced and compelling?

We supplemented Discussion

With this, we added to the findings of other researchers, who showed that due to COVID-19 restrictions, people's physical activity decreased.

Ammar, A.; Brach, M.; Trabelsi, K.; Chtourou, H.; Boukhris, O.; Masmoudi, L.; Bouaziz, B.; Bentlage, E.; How, D.; Ahmed, M, .; Müller, P.; Müller, N.;Aloui, A.; Hammouda, O.; Paineiras-Domingos, L, L.; Braakman-Jansen, A.; Wrede, C.; Bastoni, S.; Pernambuco, C. S.; Mataruna, L.; Taheri, M.; Irandoust, K.; Khacharem, A.; Bragazzi, N. L.; Chamari, K.; Glenn, J. M.; Bott, N. T.; Gargouri, F.; Chaari, L.; Batatia, H.; Ali, G. M.; Abdelkarim, O.; Jarraya, M.; Abed, K. E.; Souissi, N.; Van Gemert-Pijnen, L.; Riemann, B. L.; Riemann, L.; Moalla, W.; Gómez-Raja, J.; Epstein, M.; Sanderman, R.; Schulz, S. V.; Jerg, A.; Al-Horani, R.; Mansi, T.; Jmail, M.; Barbosa, F.; Ferreira-Santos, F.; Šimunič, B.; Pišot, R.; Gaggioli, A.; Bailey, S. J.; Steinacker, J. M.; Driss, T.; Hoekelmann, A. Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey. Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1583. doi: 10.3390/nu12061583.

Stanton, R.; To, Q. G.; Khalesi, S.; Williams, S. L.; Alley, S. J.; Thwaite, T. L.; Fenning, A. S.; Vandelanotte, C. Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020, 17(11), 4065. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114065.

LINE:  311-312

Are the conclusions thoroughly supported by the results presented in the article or referenced in secondary literature?

We deleted from Abstract: „. Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic did not change MVPA, BMI, health status, but did increase depression symptoms, stress, and impulsivity .

LINE: 39-41

There is no rationale provided to explain the age categories the authors defined. As it stands, one might assume these were defined so that statistical significance was achieved when comparing them.

Age group: Young adult (18-25 age), Adult (26-44 age), Middle-age (45-59 age), Old age (60 age). Due to the small number of participants, we added Old age participants to Middle-age.

LINE: 178-180

The results section is detailed and well-presented. I would, however, advise an English revision. Furthermore, the authors should refrain from making qualitative statements in the results section and save them from the discussion; the results should only contain quantitative statements (Line 265: “Interesting to note that (...)”).

 We corrected

LINE: 207; 214; 253; 276; 279; 281; 284;

Because of the methodological issues I previously mentioned, it is difficult to confidently rely on the study’s results. I appreciate the authors reflections and believe they are interesting from an academic standpoint and might be a leaping point for future work, however, I find very little real-life usefulness to them and believe the overall work should be used as a preliminary version of a more rigorous study. Because of this, I believe a reframing of the study’s objectives would be good; this work should be interpreted as a preliminary, proof of concept study that reveals areas to be researched more thoroughly and rigorously, and ota s an end-product in interpreting pandemic restrictions on health in itself. Under this new framework, I would consider this manuscript fit for publication; as it stands, I am afraid its objectives are too ambitious for the methodology issues it has.

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -19 constraints. In addition, we hypothesized that the change in PA due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

Lastly, it should be noted that the limitations section is very lacking, for reasons I have
discussed up until now. This should be rewritten

We supplemented

LINE: 340-341

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 4

However, there are some limitations: in the theoretical introduction, emphasis is mainly placed on PA. While it mentions the impact that PA has on the constructs investigated by the research (e.g., depression etc.), the definition of these constructs that will be measured also needs to be better detailed.

We supplemented

LINE: 54; 87-89

A further limitation is the substantial difference in the numerosity of the pre- and post-COVID interview sample.

We supplemented

LINE:340-341

Subjective health assessment. A four-point scale was used, where poor health = 1 point, satisfactory health = 2 points, good health = 3 points, and excellent health = 4 points.

We ask participants:   How would you  your health latest 12 month? The categories included: where poor health = 1 point, satisfactory health = 2 points, good health = 3 points, and excellent health = 4 points.

Sub-optimal health was defined as the 2 lower scores (1–2) and optimal health was defined as the two higher scores (3–4).

Subjective depression assessment. A four-point scale was used, there was no depression = 1 point, depression was more than before = 2 points, depression was slightly more than before = 3 points, and depression was much more than before = 4 points.

We ask participants:  Have you been depressed (depressed mood) in the latest 12 months?

The categories included: there was no depression = 0 points, depression was more than before = 1 point, depression was slightly more than before = 2 points and depression was much more than before = 3 points.

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 2

Clear objectives of the study are missing. Please state them.

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -19 constraints. In addition, we hypothesized that the change in PA due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

We changed the title of the article. It is now more accurate and more suitable to the main idea of our analysis:Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was “a double-edged sword”: it improved for some and worsened for others“.

LINE: 6-8

The references must be improved extensively, they are insufficient for such an important topic of study

We supplemented references.

LINE: 399-403; 409-413; 437-440; 447-453; 486-489; 504-516

Expound on the current discussion with reference to various previous studies citing numerous of them to improve the scientific soundness of the study.

We supplemented

Our recently published research shows clearly that physical activity (especially at moderate and vigorous intensity) improves subjects' emotional intelligence and well-being significantly.

Skurvydas, A.; Lisinskiene, A.; Lochbaum, M.; Majauskiene, D.; Valanciene, D.; Dadeliene, R.; Fatkulina, N.; Sarkauskiene, A.  Physical Activity, Stress, Depression, Emotional Intelligence, Logical Thinking, and Overall Health in a Large Lithuanian from October 2019 to June 2020: Age and Gender Differences Adult Sample. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12809. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312809.

LINE: 59-61

In addition, our recent research has shown that COVID-19 in Lithuania represents "good stress" that makes these people move more and eat less.

Skurvydas, A.; Lisinskiene, A.; Lochbaum, M.; Majauskiene, D.; Valanciene, D.; Dadeliene, R.; Fatkulina, N.; Sarkauskiene, A.  Did COVID-19 Pandemic Change People‘s Physical Activity Distribution, Eating, and Alcohol Consumption Habits as well as Body Mass Index? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12405. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312405.

LINE: 87-89

Are the research design, questions, hypotheses and methods clearly stated?

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -A due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

We corrected the title of the article. It is now more accurate and more suitable to the main idea of our analysis:Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was “a double-edged sword”: it improved for some and worsened for others.

LINE: 6-8

We corrected Methods

LINE: 144-146; 170-174

Are the arguments and discussion of findings coherent, balanced and compelling?

We supplemented Discussion

With this, we added to the findings of other researchers, who showed that due to COVID-19 restrictions, people's physical activity decreased.

Ammar, A.; Brach, M.; Trabelsi, K.; Chtourou, H.; Boukhris, O.; Masmoudi, L.; Bouaziz, B.; Bentlage, E.; How, D.; Ahmed, M, .; Müller, P.; Müller, N.;Aloui, A.; Hammouda, O.; Paineiras-Domingos, L, L.; Braakman-Jansen, A.; Wrede, C.; Bastoni, S.; Pernambuco, C. S.; Mataruna, L.; Taheri, M.; Irandoust, K.; Khacharem, A.; Bragazzi, N. L.; Chamari, K.; Glenn, J. M.; Bott, N. T.; Gargouri, F.; Chaari, L.; Batatia, H.; Ali, G. M.; Abdelkarim, O.; Jarraya, M.; Abed, K. E.; Souissi, N.; Van Gemert-Pijnen, L.; Riemann, B. L.; Riemann, L.; Moalla, W.; Gómez-Raja, J.; Epstein, M.; Sanderman, R.; Schulz, S. V.; Jerg, A.; Al-Horani, R.; Mansi, T.; Jmail, M.; Barbosa, F.; Ferreira-Santos, F.; Šimunič, B.; Pišot, R.; Gaggioli, A.; Bailey, S. J.; Steinacker, J. M.; Driss, T.; Hoekelmann, A. Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey. Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1583. doi: 10.3390/nu12061583.

Stanton, R.; To, Q. G.; Khalesi, S.; Williams, S. L.; Alley, S. J.; Thwaite, T. L.; Fenning, A. S.; Vandelanotte, C. Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020, 17(11), 4065. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114065.

LINE: 311-312

For empirical research, are the results clearly presented?

We corrected Statistical analyses

We deleted Calculations were performed for observed power (OP); The value of partial eta squared () was estimated as a measure of the effect size, and coefficient B was estimated as a parameter of regression. Chi-square (c²) tests were performed to compare the differences between sexes. The relationship between variables was also assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

LINE: 170-174

We deleted :

In order not to overload the presentation of results, we refused observed power (OP) everywhere.

Is the article adequately referenced?

We have supplemented the article with recent citations from our research that directly link to this article (see above).

Are the conclusions thoroughly supported by the results presented in the article or referenced in secondary literature?

We deleted from Abstract: „Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic did not change MVPA, BMI, health status, but did increase depression symptoms, stress, and impulsivity.

LINE: 39-41

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 3

Are the research design, questions, hypotheses and methods clearly stated?

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -19 constraints. In addition, we hypothesized that the change in PA due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

We changed the title of the article. It is now more accurate and more suitable to the main idea of our analysis: Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was “a double-edged sword”: it improved for some and worsened for others“

LINE: 6-8

We corrected Methods

Are the arguments and discussion of findings coherent, balanced and compelling?

We supplemented Discussion

With this, we added to the findings of other researchers, who showed that due to COVID-19 restrictions, people's physical activity decreased.

Ammar, A.; Brach, M.; Trabelsi, K.; Chtourou, H.; Boukhris, O.; Masmoudi, L.; Bouaziz, B.; Bentlage, E.; How, D.; Ahmed, M, .; Müller, P.; Müller, N.;Aloui, A.; Hammouda, O.; Paineiras-Domingos, L, L.; Braakman-Jansen, A.; Wrede, C.; Bastoni, S.; Pernambuco, C. S.; Mataruna, L.; Taheri, M.; Irandoust, K.; Khacharem, A.; Bragazzi, N. L.; Chamari, K.; Glenn, J. M.; Bott, N. T.; Gargouri, F.; Chaari, L.; Batatia, H.; Ali, G. M.; Abdelkarim, O.; Jarraya, M.; Abed, K. E.; Souissi, N.; Van Gemert-Pijnen, L.; Riemann, B. L.; Riemann, L.; Moalla, W.; Gómez-Raja, J.; Epstein, M.; Sanderman, R.; Schulz, S. V.; Jerg, A.; Al-Horani, R.; Mansi, T.; Jmail, M.; Barbosa, F.; Ferreira-Santos, F.; Šimunič, B.; Pišot, R.; Gaggioli, A.; Bailey, S. J.; Steinacker, J. M.; Driss, T.; Hoekelmann, A. Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey. Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1583. doi: 10.3390/nu12061583.

Stanton, R.; To, Q. G.; Khalesi, S.; Williams, S. L.; Alley, S. J.; Thwaite, T. L.; Fenning, A. S.; Vandelanotte, C. Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020, 17(11), 4065. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114065.

LINE:  311-312

Are the conclusions thoroughly supported by the results presented in the article or referenced in secondary literature?

We deleted from Abstract: „. Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic did not change MVPA, BMI, health status, but did increase depression symptoms, stress, and impulsivity .

LINE: 39-41

There is no rationale provided to explain the age categories the authors defined. As it stands, one might assume these were defined so that statistical significance was achieved when comparing them.

Age group: Young adult (18-25 age), Adult (26-44 age), Middle-age (45-59 age), Old age (60 age). Due to the small number of participants, we added Old age participants to Middle-age.

LINE: 178-180

The results section is detailed and well-presented. I would, however, advise an English revision. Furthermore, the authors should refrain from making qualitative statements in the results section and save them from the discussion; the results should only contain quantitative statements (Line 265: “Interesting to note that (...)”).

 We corrected

LINE: 207; 214; 253; 276; 279; 281; 284;

Because of the methodological issues I previously mentioned, it is difficult to confidently rely on the study’s results. I appreciate the authors reflections and believe they are interesting from an academic standpoint and might be a leaping point for future work, however, I find very little real-life usefulness to them and believe the overall work should be used as a preliminary version of a more rigorous study. Because of this, I believe a reframing of the study’s objectives would be good; this work should be interpreted as a preliminary, proof of concept study that reveals areas to be researched more thoroughly and rigorously, and ota s an end-product in interpreting pandemic restrictions on health in itself. Under this new framework, I would consider this manuscript fit for publication; as it stands, I am afraid its objectives are too ambitious for the methodology issues it has.

We corrected and supplemented:

In other words, we tried to clarify which (if any) of these indicators have the greatest PA for change during the COVID -19 constraints. In addition, we hypothesized that the change in PA due to COVID -19 constraints might be mixed, e.g., PA might decrease among those whose self-rated health was worst but increase among those whose self-rated health was best.

LINE: 95-99

Lastly, it should be noted that the limitations section is very lacking, for reasons I have
discussed up until now. This should be rewritten

We supplemented

LINE: 340-341

Review Comments to Author

Authors’ Response

Reviewer: 4

However, there are some limitations: in the theoretical introduction, emphasis is mainly placed on PA. While it mentions the impact that PA has on the constructs investigated by the research (e.g., depression etc.), the definition of these constructs that will be measured also needs to be better detailed.

We supplemented

LINE: 54; 87-89

A further limitation is the substantial difference in the numerosity of the pre- and post-COVID interview sample.

We supplemented

LINE:340-341

Subjective health assessment. A four-point scale was used, where poor health = 1 point, satisfactory health = 2 points, good health = 3 points, and excellent health = 4 points.

We ask participants:   How would you  your health latest 12 month? The categories included: where poor health = 1 point, satisfactory health = 2 points, good health = 3 points, and excellent health = 4 points.

Sub-optimal health was defined as the 2 lower scores (1–2) and optimal health was defined as the two higher scores (3–4).

Subjective depression assessment. A four-point scale was used, there was no depression = 1 point, depression was more than before = 2 points, depression was slightly more than before = 3 points, and depression was much more than before = 4 points.

We ask participants:  Have you been depressed (depressed mood) in the latest 12 months?

The categories included: there was no depression = 0 points, depression was more than before = 1 point, depression was slightly more than before = 2 points and depression was much more than before = 3 points.