Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of male adolescents in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-method case study using accelerometers, automated wearable cameras, diaries, and interviews

Fitria Dwi Andriyani; Katrien De Cocker; Aprida Agung Priambadha; Stuart J H Biddle

doi:10.1186/s44167-022-00014-0

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of male adolescents in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-method case study using accelerometers, automated wearable cameras, diaries, and interviews

J Act Sedentary Sleep Behav. 2023;2(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s44167-022-00014-0. Epub 2023 Mar 1.

Authors

Fitria Dwi Andriyani^{1

2}, Katrien De Cocker^{1

3}, Aprida Agung Priambadha⁴, Stuart J H Biddle¹

Affiliations

¹ Physically Active Lifestyles Research Group (USQ PALs), Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia.
² Department of Sports Education, Faculty of Sports Science, Yogyakarta State University, Yogyakarta, 55281 Indonesia.
³ Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, B9000 Ghent, Belgium.
⁴ Department of Primary Teacher Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Ahmad Dahlan University, Yogyakarta, 55191 Indonesia.

Abstract

Background: Previous physical activity and sedentary behaviour studies during the pandemic have largely utilized online surveys, with known limitations including recall bias. Employing both device-based and self-reported measurements may provide a more comprehensive picture of both behaviours. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour research in adolescents is still limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Indonesia. Male adolescents had been identified as more active than females but have had a greater decrease in physical activity during the pandemic. The present study aimed to investigate the quantity, temporal patterns, contexts, and biopsychosocial factors of physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in a small group of male Indonesian adolescents.

Methods: Male adolescents (n = 5; 14-15 years old) from Yogyakarta wore accelerometers and automated wearable cameras for four days, and completed diaries and interviews in November 2020.

Results: Participants' activity was dominated by light intensity (67% of all physical activity). Sedentary behaviour was high; accelerometer, school days: 456 ± 145 min (78 ± 10% of wear time), non-school days: 344 ± 160 min (79 ± 17% of wear time); camera, school days: 176 ± 101 min (81 ± 46% of wear time), non-school days: 210 ± 165 min (86 ± 67% of wear time). Sedentary behaviour was mainly done during school hours on school days and from late afternoon to evening on non-school days. Screen time was largely for leisure purposes and action games were most favoured. Smartphones were the most used device, mainly used in a solitary context in the bedroom. Non-screen-based sedentary behaviour was consistently low. Interviews suggested that during the pandemic, supporting factors for physical activity are: self-determination, enjoyment, parental support, and physical education; meanwhile, factors influencing screen time are: educational demands, device and internet availability, screen time opportunities, parental control, social facilitators, phone notifications, and emotional state.

Conclusions: Most participants were not able to stay active during the pandemic. Using digital platforms may be beneficial to shift some screen-based sedentary behaviour to 'screen-based' or 'screen-prompted' physical activity.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44167-022-00014-0.

Keywords: Accelerometers; Automated wearable camera; LMICs; Male adolescents; Screen time; Youth.