Predicting recovery after stressors using step count data derived from activity monitors

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The study analyzed step count data from 226 participants across four countries to assess recovery from the COVID-19 lockdown.
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Local dynamic complexity in step count significantly predicts the rate of recovery to pre-COVID physical activity levels.
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Participants' median daily step count decreased from over 10,000 to approximately 6,500 steps during the lockdown.
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49% of participants took a median of 88 days to return to pre-lockdown step levels, while 51% had not returned by September 2020.
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The findings suggest opportunities for just-in-time interventions to support physical activity recovery after stressors.

Npj Digital Medicine

by Dario Baretta, Sarah Koch, Joren Buekers, Judith Garcia-Aymerich, Lenka Knapova, Steriani Elavsky, Job Godino, Merlijn Olthof, Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff, Ruud den Hartigh, Guillaume Chevance
October 9, 2025

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