Physical Activity Adaptations in Vietnam during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a severe global health crisis. Countries worldwide have implemented various strategies to counteract COVID-19, such as social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine regulations. The sudden changes affected people's lifestyles, including physical activity (PA). This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA in Vietnam. Based on the small-scale online survey data involving 627 respondents, results showed that most of them tried to preserve their exercise habits during the outbreak, perceiving exercise as necessary to improve health and prevent illness during the pandemic. People managed to maintain their sports activities; some even increased their PA levels from pre-pandemic levels. There was a noticeable decrease in playing sports that required gatherings, specialised infrastructure, and equipment. Most respondents preferred individual training during the pandemic; some new forms of PA, such as practising in small groups via online guidelines, were developed. The findings reveal that the Vietnamese respondents adapted their PA given the restrictions of the pandemic. Recommendations include considering online and home-based exercise programs to promote PA during similar public health emergencies requiring quarantine measures.