Table 4. Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity Among Adults (N = 203) in Rural North Carolina During the COVID-19 Pandemic, August 3–September 15, 2020a .
| Response | Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither agree or disagree | Agree | Strongly agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barriers | |||||
| Ability to maintain appropriate social distancing | 44 (21.7) | 48 (23.6) | 27 (13.3) | 51 (25.1) | 30 (14.8) |
| Closure of parks and recreation resources | 13 (6.4) | 21 (10.3) | 23 (11.3) | 79 (38.9) | 67 (33.0) |
| Cancellation of sports or intramurals | 45 (22.2) | 13 (6.4) | 46 (22.7) | 30 (14.8) | 69 (34.0) |
| Neighborhood environment | 77 (37.9) | 50 (24.6) | 44 (21.7) | 21 (10.3) | 11 (5.4) |
| Closure of fitness facility | 41 (20.2) | 12 (5.9) | 57 (28.1) | 33 (16.3) | 58 (28.6) |
| Lack of fitness equipment | 45 (22.2) | 36 (17.7) | 47 (23.2) | 43 (21.2) | 32 (15.8) |
| Stay-at-home orders | 30 (14.8) | 39 (19.2) | 33 (16.3) | 54 (26.6) | 49 (29.1) |
| Benefits | |||||
| Is something I can do to leave the house without being exposed to COVID-19 | 8 (3.9) | 11 (5.4) | 26 (12.8) | 93 (45.8) | 65 (32.0) |
| Is something routine or normal that I can still do while social distancing | 6 (3.0) | 9 (4.4) | 13 (6.4) | 104 (51.2) | 71 (35.0) |
| Helps manage stress during the COVID-19 pandemic | 3 (1.5) | 2 (1.0) | 6 (3.0) | 83 (40.9) | 109 (53.7) |
| Helps manage my mental health (eg, stress, anxiety) during the COVID-19 pandemic | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.5) | 6 (3.0) | 79 (38.9) | 114 (56.2) |
| Helps me manage my chronic condition(s) (eg, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease) | 8 (3.9) | 3 (1.5) | 78 (138.4) | 60 (29.6) | 48 (23.6) |
| Is beneficial to my immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic | 3 (1.5) | 0 (0) | 13 (6.4) | 92 (45.3) | 95 (46.8) |
| Will help reduce my risk of getting COVID-19 | 12 (5.9) | 17 (8.4) | 64 (31.5) | 53 (26.1) | 56 (27.6) |
| Will reduce the severity of COVID-19 if I get it | 8 (3.9) | 15 (7.4) | 63 (31.0) | 65 (32.0) | 51 (25.1) |
a
Number reflects survey attrition. Values are number (percentage).