A cross-sectional survey of activities to support mental wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mental Health and the Role of Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Physical activities, personal contact with colleagues, friends and family have been limited due to public health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, such as quarantine, lockdown, self-isolation, and maintaining social distance. People experienced a general decline in well-being, deterioration in mental health, and an increase in psychological distress such as stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation (Chtourou et al, 2020 ; Gupta et al, 2021 ). This negative impact may, in turn, affect compliance with public health measures (Puyat et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Initial evidence has shown that individuals can maintain and promote mental health through exercise during the pandemic (Gupta et al, 2021 ). However, measures restricting the spread of COVID-19 have led to a decline in physical activity for most children and adolescents, especially among boys and older children and adolescents (Yomoda and Kurita, 2021 ).…”

“…However, measures restricting the spread of COVID-19 have led to a decline in physical activity for most children and adolescents, especially among boys and older children and adolescents (Yomoda and Kurita, 2021 ). Compared with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activities in the second wave dropped by 3.1 percentage points (Gupta et al, 2021 ). Quarantine or self-isolation further reduces the amount and intensity of physical activities (Ammar et al, 2021 ), resulting in a general increase in inactivity and sedentary behavior (Schuch et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Quarantine or self-isolation further reduces the amount and intensity of physical activities (Ammar et al, 2021 ), resulting in a general increase in inactivity and sedentary behavior (Schuch et al, 2020 ). On the other hand, the pandemic has triggered people to engage more in various activities to enhance mental health, but the number of people participating in physical exercise decreased, and the number of people participating in other activities increased (Gupta et al, 2021 ). Especially in the period of stricter prevention and control, the number of people reporting participation in camping, other family activities (such as sewing, puzzles and board games), and virtual group activities such as virtual churches has increased (Gupta et al, 2021 ).…”

“…On the other hand, the pandemic has triggered people to engage more in various activities to enhance mental health, but the number of people participating in physical exercise decreased, and the number of people participating in other activities increased (Gupta et al, 2021 ). Especially in the period of stricter prevention and control, the number of people reporting participation in camping, other family activities (such as sewing, puzzles and board games), and virtual group activities such as virtual churches has increased (Gupta et al, 2021 ). Therefore, it is imperative to address the following questions: Do physical exercises at home still maintain and/or improve the level of mental health?…”