Leisure time sports and exercise activities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of working parents

Mutz M, Reimers AK (2021)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research Springer

Original Authors: Michael Mutz, Anne K. Reimers

DOI: 10.1007/s12662-021-00730-w

Abstract

Many working parents experienced a double burden of fulltime employment and increased childcare obligations during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. This paper explores how this twofold burden affected leisure time sports and exercise (LTSE). Following a gender inequality perspective, it is assumed that the level of LTSE of working mothers are more negatively affected by the pandemic than LTSE levels of working fathers. Using the nation-wide representative SPOVID survey, the paper analyses data of all respondents in fulltime employment (N = 631). Data collection took place in October and November 2020 in collaboration with Forsa, a leading corporation for public opinion polls in Germany. Results show that the pandemic led to a reduction of LTSE levels, but with considerable variation between working mothers and fathers. Fulltime working mothers reduced their LTSE by a substantial margin (54 min per week), but not working fathers. It is concluded that the double burden of work demands and childcare duties in the pandemic was largely shouldered by mothers, who then faced greater difficulties to remain active.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anne Kerstin Reimers Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports

Involved external institutions

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Mutz, M., & Reimers, A.K. (2021). Leisure time sports and exercise activities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of working parents. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-021-00730-w

MLA:

Mutz, Michael, and Anne Kerstin Reimers. "Leisure time sports and exercise activities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of working parents." German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research (2021).

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