Kinesiophobia, Physical Activity, Fear of COVID-19, and Fatigue in Adult Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: The prolonged process of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and related restrictions cause
physical inactivity, fear of COVID-19, and fatigue in individuals. During the pandemic, kinesiophobia may
raise fear of death and physical inactivity in patients. However, kinesiophobia and its relationship with
physical activity (PA), fear of COVID-19, and fatigue in individuals have not been known yet, which was
therefore aimed to investigate in the current study .
Patients and Methods: Adult individuals (n=166, 36.3±15.37 years) were included in the study.
Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), PA levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-
Short Form), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCS-19)), and fatigue (Numeric Rating Scale)
were evaluated remotely between 3 June 2021 and 30 June 2021 th rough an online platform.
Results: Of the individuals, 91 (54.8%) had a high level of kinesiophobia, 55 (33.1%) were inactive, 84
(50.6%) were minimally active, and 27 (16.3%) were very active. Kinesiophobia score was significantly
correlated with age, weight, body mass index, education level, and walking, total PA, FCS-19, and fatigue
scores (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Kinesiophobia and physical inactivity are prevalent in many individuals. Although individuals
have no disease during the COVID-19 pandemic, their kinesiophobia level increases as walking, physical
activities, and education levels decrease. Kinesiophobia also increases as age, weight, body mass
index, fear of COVID-19 and fatigue increase. Considering the negative effects of kinesiophobia and the
prolonged pandemic process, individuals should be urgently dire cted to P A counseling programs.