*Article* **The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown Measures on Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in a Relatively Young Population Living in Kosovo**

**Masar Gjaka 1,†, Kaltrina Feka 2,3,4,†, Antonino Bianco 2,3, Faton Tishukaj 5, Valerio Giustino 2,3,4, Anna Maria Parroco 2, Antonio Palma 2,3,6 and Giuseppe Battaglia 2,3,6,\***


**Abstract:** To abate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, different restriction measures were imperative, limiting the possibility to be engaged in physical activity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity (PA) levels expressed as energy expenditure (MET-min/week) and sedentary behaviour in Kosovo. The possible association between PA levels and other factors was analyzed. 1633 participants (age range: 13 to 63 years; mean: 24.70 ± 9.33 years; body height: 172 <sup>±</sup> 10.57 cm; body mass: 69.10 <sup>±</sup> 13.80 kg; BMI: 23.09 <sup>±</sup> 3.63 kg/m2) participated in the study, categorized by age, gender, BMI, and living area. An online survey, including an adapted version of the IPAQ-SF, was administered once during lockdown to assess PA levels and sedentary behaviour both before and during COVID-19 lockdown. The Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis rank of sum tests were used for statistical analysis. COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on the types of and overall PA levels MET-min/week (*p* < 0.001). Sedentary behaviour significantly increased during COVID-19 restrictions (*p* < 0.001). Higher decreases in METmin/week during lockdown were observed among males, young and young adults, overweight, and urban-living participants. Finally, COVID-19 restrictions decreased the PA levels and METmin/week, and increased sedentary behaviour also in a relatively young cohort. Such differences were dependent on several factors.

**Keywords:** physical activity; COVID-19; Kosovo; restrictions; public health
