Outdoor activity and walking for leisure in the COVID-19 era: their correlates and mutual relationship

Abstract

The pandemic has changed daily urban life, including leisure activities and travel patterns. Although several studies have tracked changes in leisure and travel behavior due to the pandemic, few have analyzed the effects of COVID-19 preventive behavior by considering the interaction between activities and walking for leisure. This study aims to investigate the mutual relationship between outdoor activities and walking for leisure during the pandemic among 537 residents in the Seoul metropolitan area using a three-level least squares (3SLS) approach. The results demonstrate a bidirectional association between outdoor activities and walking during the pandemic. Individuals who avoided long-distance leisure travel increased their frequency of short-distance walking, and postponing or canceling social interactions led to more outdoor leisure activities. Notably, those who refrained from going out for leisure exhibited reduced outdoor activities but an increase in walking for leisure. These findings highlight the significance of considering the synergy between leisure activities and walking amid the pandemic.

Keywords

• urban
• three-stage least squares
• outdoor activity
• walking for leisure
• preventive behavior
• covid-19 pandemic