Parents Modeling Physical Activity Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Correlational Study

Parent modeling of physical activity (PA) can predict child PA with engagement and logistical support. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine changes in family PA and (2) if parents meeting PA guidelines (PAG), including active transport to school (ATS), increases odds of children meeting PAG before and during the pandemic. Guided by the Parent Engagement and Support, PA, and Academic Performance theoretical model (PESPAAP), validated measures of retrospective self-reported parent and child PA from before and during the pandemic were requested in a Safe Routes to School survey emailed to kindergarten – eighth grade parents via a Qualtrics link. Due to model fit, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Fisher’s exact correlations, and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS. Parents reported significantly more PA (N = 451) during (Mdn= 60, SD) compared to before the pandemic (Mdn = 30), z = -2.04, p = .041. Similarly, parents reported children’s PA was significantly higher during (Mdn = 255.00) compared to before the pandemic (Mdn = 240.00), z = -2.70, p = .007. Fisher’s exact test (p = < 001) indicated a significant association between parents and children meeting physical activity guidelines (PAG) as parents meeting PAG was associated with children meeting PAG before (OR = 10.5, 95% CI [6.620, 16.956], p < 0.001) and during (OR = 6.6, 95% CI [4.187, 10.404], p < 0.001) the pandemic. Understanding these relationships, reasons for increase in PA during the pandemic, and how to use the PESPAAP theoretical model may assist in the success of post pandemic family PA health behavior interventions by focusing on child PA, parent support, and parent engagement.