27 Sep 2020

Covid-19 pandemic had significant negative impact on exercise rates - study

6:17 am on 27 September 2020

People are being encouraged to make the most of Daylight Saving and boost their exercise hours.

Back view portrait of modern young couple running together outdoors in city park, copy space

Photo: 123rf

Clocks went forward an hour overnight.

A study from Sport New Zealand comparing exercise rates from June on the year before and found the Covid-19 pandemic has had made a significant impact.

The crown agency's general manager of community sport, Geoff Barry, said over a week adults are doing nearly an hour less of activity, and children have dropped by 90 minutes.

He said many people have fallen out of routines, but extended summer hours provide an opportunity to get back on track.

Barry said householders can get back to basics by going for an after-work walk, or a run at the park with flatmates.

Daylight saving runs until 4 April next year.

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