ABSTRACT

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to an acceleration of innovative technological ideas in the sporting industry. People had to learn to adapt and make changes in their sporting habits or physical activity (PA) during lockdown. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on the levels of PA and sporting industry in Singapore. A total of 1,000 participants (≥21 years old) volunteered in this virtual survey. The survey collected participants’ levels of PA according to exercise intensity and type of PA. The findings revealed that 61.5% of participants (n = 795) participated in PA and expended more than 500 METs-minute/week. 23.8% of participants had an increase in PA, 40.3% of participants maintained their PA and 25.5% of participants had a decrease in PA. 49.6% of participants used online visual programmers (OVP) as part of their PA. More individuals are utilising OVP and home sporting equipment in place of their usual exercise facilities. Sporting industries are switching to virtual platforms to further engage consumers, which may have ensued in the increase in PA for 23.8% of participants. Therefore, this may have resulted in an increase or sustainability of revenue for certain sporting industries (e.g., gym equipment).