Energy Expenditure of Ecuadorian Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Group and Individual Responses

This study aimed at determining changes in physical activity (PA) and energy expenditure of Ecuadorian students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 1033 students completed the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to estimate energy expenditure in metabolic equivalents of task (MET) in MET·min-1·week-1. Absolute reliability and the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were computed. Men reduced vigorous-intensity energy expenditure (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= -410.8, -698.6 MET·min-1·week-1) and moderate-intensity (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= -283.6, -138.4 MET·min-1·week-1). Walking energy expenditure was higher at the beginning than during the pandemic (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= -379.6, -303.0 MET·min-1·week-1). Men and women reduced their total energy expenditure (p≤ 0.0001; Men CI95% diff.= -1311.7, -894.1 MET·min-1·week-1; Women CI95% diff.= -654.0, 290.0 MET·min-1·week-1). Sitting time was lower at baseline than during the pandemic (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= 0.48, 0.74 h). The 85.8% of the participants did not change their vigorous energy expenditure, 5.0% increased it, and 9.2% reduced it. The 86.6% of the sample did not change the energy expenditure of moderate intensity, 4.6% increased it, and 8.7% reduced it. Indeed, 84.6% did not change walking energy expenditure, 1.4% increased it, and 14.0% reduced it. The total energy expenditure did not change in 84.2% of the participants, 4.3% increased it, and 11.5% reduced it. The sitting time did not change in 79.3% of the participants, 15.0% increased it, and 5.7% reduced it. In conclusion, the energy expenditure from PA was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuadorian university students. More than 79% of the students maintained their habits, confirming that changing behavior remains challenging. These findings are significant given the deleterious effects of reduced physical activity on cardiometabolic health.