Associations between Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Time Spent Outdoors with Mental Health during the First COVID-19 Lock Down in Austria

Abstract

Measures implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have resulted in a decrease in physical activity (PA) while sedentary behaviour increased. The aim of the present study was to explore associations between PA and mental health in Austria during COVID-19 social restrictions. In this web-based cross-sectional study (April–May 2020) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sitting time, and time spent outdoors were self-reported before and during self-isolation. Mental well-being was assessed with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and the Beck depression and anxiety inventories. The majority of the participants (n = 652) were female (72.4%), with a mean age of 36.0 years and a standard deviation (SD) of 14.4. Moreover, 76.5% took part in ≥30 min/day of MVPA, 53.5% sat ≥10 h/day, and 66.1% spent ≥60 min/day outdoors during self-isolation. Thirty-eight point five percent reported high mental well-being, 40.5% reported depressive symptoms, and 33.9% anxiety symptoms. Participating in higher levels of MVPA was associated with higher mental well-being (odds ratio = OR: 3.92; 95% confidence interval = 95%CI: 1.51–10.15), less depressive symptoms (OR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.29–0.66) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.41–0.94), and less loneliness (OR: 0.46; 95%CI: 0.31–0.69). Participants sitting <10 h/day had higher odds of mental well-being (OR: 3.58; 95%CI: 1.13–11.35). Comparable results were found for spending ≥60 min/day outdoors. Maintaining one’s MVPA levels was associated with higher mental well-being (OR = 8.61, 95%CI: 2.68–27.62). In conclusion, results show a positive association between PA, time spent outdoors and mental well-being during COVID-19 social restrictions. Interventions aiming to increase PA might mitigate negative effects of such restrictions.

Fitness and the Crisis: Impacts of COVID-19 on Active Living and Life Satisfaction in Austria

“…Results of this study showed that physical activity decreased in Austria during the COVID-19 pandemic, as female and male participants spent less time on exercising. Similar results were found in earlier studies conducted in the beginning of the crisis [ 12 , 14 , 18 ]. Our results revealed that decreased exercising indoors mostly applied to public sport facilities (i.e., fitness centers or sports clubs), as home exercising gained popularity during the crisis.…”

“…During the pandemic, the majority of the participants considered health and physical activity as important motivational factors for visiting outdoor areas. These findings are not surprising, as prior studies suggested increased importance of nature for regular physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 18 , 26 , 36 ]. Consequently, the value of recreational outdoor activities has presumable increased during the crisis.…”

“…Addressing the inherent conflict of goals between home confinement and active living, the impact of the pandemic on physical activity gained high interest during the last months [ 15 ]. In the course of the crisis, evidence accumulated that life satisfaction significantly decreased during the pandemic, potentially due to decreased social activities with family and friends, restrictions in sports, and closed recreational facilities [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Given the immense negative consequences on psychosocial, mental, and physical health and well-being in all strata of the population, the closure in the sport, exercise, and leisure sectors, in addition to home schooling, home office, isolation, quarantine etc., created the need for innovative alternatives for being physically active.…”

“…As far as in accordance with the presently applicable official restrictions, public open spaces offer a legal, convenient, and attractive alternative for exercising alone, in small groups, or with personal trainers [ 15 ]. However, in reality, during the lockdowns, residents of Austrian larger cities such as the capital Vienna used inner-city parks and green spaces for recreational purposes, leading to sometimes overcrowded areas, contradicting social distancing rules [ 18 , 26 ].…”

“…We can also speak of a fitness crisis for a large part of the population, with many questions emerging concerning the risk–benefit ratio of physical activity in crowded public areas and indoor facilities alike. By retrospectively assessing behavioral and perceptive changes from an Austrian perspective, this report adds to the current literature on health and well-being effects of the pandemic on the Austrian population novel evidence from 2021, the second year of the crisis [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. In this cross-sectional study, we collected online data on use of indoor as well as outdoor sports facilities, reasons for being outdoors, and life satisfaction comparing the “before” with the “during” COVID-19 period.…”