Changes in sports practices, motivations, and affects during the first lockdown in France

The first lockdown led to disruptions in the lives of French people, particularly in the practice of physical and sports activity (PSA). To better document this, the aim of this study is to examine changes in PSA practices among 18–35-year-olds, as well as their relationships with motivation and affects, between two periods: before and during the first lockdown in France. A mixed-methods study was carried out. A questionnaire distributed online to 451 people was used to assess the modalities and types of PSA practice, and motivations for practicing, before and during lockdown, supplemented, for a sample of 15 people, by a telephone interview examining the influence of these changes on affects. A reduction in the number, duration, and intensity of weekly PSA sessions was observed. At the same time, the number of non-participants increased. The number of participants increased in fitness and gymnastics, but fell in almost all other PSAs. Overall, participants were less motivated to practice during lockdown. An increase in PSA practice was accompanied by positive affective feelings, while a decrease was accompanied by negative affective feelings.