Changes in Physical Activity Are Associated with Corresponding Changes in Psychological Well-Being: A Pandemic Case Study

Abstract

Societal crises and personal challenges are often followed by substantial changes in physical activity. Is there a link between such changes and psychological well-being? Seeking to answer this question, we conducted a correlational study on a representative sample in Sweden during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 1035). About 49% of the sample had decreased their physical activity compared to their self-reported activity level prior to the pandemic, whereas 32% had increased it. The results showed a positive and robust association between changes in daily activity level and corresponding changes in psychological well-being. Specifically, individuals who had reduced their physical activity over the last year reported lower life satisfaction than before, and individuals who had increased their physical activity reported higher life satisfaction than before. The amount of complete physical inactivity (sitting) showed a similar pattern as the exercise data, meaning that individuals who reported increasing inactivity per day also reported a greater decline in life satisfaction. Additional analyses showed that the association between daily activity level and life satisfaction was somewhat stronger for men than for women, but there was no difference when comparing individual versus organized activities. The current study was based on a cross-sectional design, measuring self-reported change over time. Recent work from other research teams have used longitudinal data and experience-sampling in different settings, finding similar results. We conclude that there is good reason to recommend physical exercise as a coping strategy in difficult times.

Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Swedish Population Study

“…However, women appear to have adapted to these changed circumstances and developed behavior to compensate for their loss of access to fitness centers by performing more non-organized activities, such as home-based exercises. This flexibility in types of PA performance may create opportunities to incorporate PA into daily living during the current pandemic and other social health-care crises, which is essential to improving well-being [ 12 ] and preventing lifestyle-related diseases [ 60 ].…”

“…In light of the pandemic, recent studies have demonstrated that PA plays an important role in reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic because it increases resistance and reduces the risk of infectious diseases and mortality, in addition to enhancing vaccination outcomes [ 11 ]. PA during the pandemic is also associated with psychological well-being [ 12 ].…”

Protective effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Physical activity can promote stress resilience [34] and serve as an effective coping strategy [11], including during the pandemic [35][36][37][38]. It is also effective at diminishing depressive symptoms as well as symptoms of other mental illnesses [39].…”

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“…A survey was distributed on Facebook during the second week of April 2021, and a total of 1,788 Swedes (60% female, mean age 53.8 years, age range 19-85 years) anonymously filled out the questionnaire. Sweden has one of the world's highest social media penetrations, and previous research has found that Swedes are representative of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people's subjective well-being (e.g., Dahlen et al 2021).…”