Changes in physical and social activities during and a post-COVID-19: A five-year panel survey (2020–2025)

Abstract

Introduction

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely affected physical activity (PA) and social activity (SA) in older adults. In Japan, both PA and SA were restricted during the pandemic, and both began to recover after 2021 based on changes in the social climate. This study aimed to explore the trajectories of PA and SA among older adults during the pandemic and post-COVID-19 periods with a five-year follow-up period from 2020 to 2025.

Methods

The study participants included 610 community-dwelling older adults from Japan’s urban prefectures who completed an annual online survey assessing PA and SA. PA was measured using the Short Form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, SA was evaluated using a social activity score. Changes in total PA duration and total SA scores from 2020 to 2025 were analyzed.

Results

By 2023, PA has recovered fully, with the total PA time returning to pre-pandemic levels. The frequency of shopping and health promotion activities also increased during this period. However, SA remained low until 2025, showing a slower recovery than that of PA. By 2025, participation in activities such as volunteer and hobby groups will return to pre-pandemic levels, while engagement in neighborhood associations, town events, and jobs will remain limited.

Conclusion

PA and SA significantly declined during the pandemic but showed a recovery trend post-2021. Although PA has fully recovered, SA remains partially restricted as of 2025, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts to promote social engagement among older adults in the post-COVID-19 era.