The present study yields many implications for future policy-making decisions. It is of concern that the pandemic caused substantial declines in PA in many population categories with the possibility that many adults might never again achieve their pre-pandemic PA levels.
Snowball sampling over social media was used among Mexican female doctors which introduced selection bias, explaining the overrepresentation of young and highly educated women in our study. People needed to have access to the internet and connected technology to complete the survey. A higher proportion of respondents perceived themselves as having some kind of impairment in functioning and engagement than the officially reported proportion of people living with disabilities by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography in Mexico []. This may be because the questions inquired about function, although based on the ICF activity, were interpreted as impaired function in the social sphere.
We do not have specific information about the region/state in Mexico where the participants lived because the survey was originally intended to be distributed globally. As we received a significant proportion of Mexican participants, we decided to focus and analyze data from this significant group of women.Mexican women, particularly those who identify as having a disability, reported poorer PA behaviors and self-perceived mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important that further studies explore the impacts of the emotional and physical burdens faced by professional women who had increased caregiving responsibilities in the home setting in addition to their paid work. More equitable conditions that increase women’s opportunities for self-care, like PA, that will enhance social support and coping strategies to reduce stress and improve physical health are paramount.