COVID-19 Public Health Road Map: Physical activity

Behavioural science recommendations
Physical activity can benefit both physical and psychological health. Being physically active each day can be influenced by what we know and what we can do (capability); the people around us and our physical environment (opportunity); and our beliefs, what we want, how we see ourselves, how we regulate our emotions, and our habits (motivation). To support possible changes since COVID-19:
● Consider whether any disruption to daily routines, finances, access to usual places to be active, and/or social support (e.g. that may have arisen from working from home, school closures, changes to commuting, sports and leisure facility closures and/or restrictions) may have influenced physical activity behaviour.
● Where needed, develop strategies to mitigate influences on physical activity behaviour (e.g. educating and promoting how to be physically active at home or in local outdoor spaces, creating social support while physically distant such as via social media)
● Promote ways to be physically active safely (e.g. while maintaining physical-distancing, creating a safe space to be active).
● Facilitate planning of how to continue to be physically active in the event of unpredictable circumstances (e.g. needing to self-isolate/quarantine)
● Promote physical activity for the benefit of physical health and psychological wellbeing.

We recommend following the British Psychological Society’s Behavioural Science and Disease Prevention Psychological guidance to shape any policy and/or communications strategy.