Exercise as a coping strategy and its impact on the psychological well-being of Japanese community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of exercise as a coping strategy among Japanese community-dwelling older adults and its impact on their psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2019 (baseline [BL]), 720 community-dwelling older adults living in an urban area in Japan participated in a comprehensive health survey. Of these, 618 responded to a mail survey (follow-up [FL]) in June 2020, after the first state of emergency was lifted. Their psychological well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Exercise as a coping strategy during the stay-at-home period was determined at FL by asking respondents whether they had engaged in 1) walking and 2) at-home exercise and strength training to maintain their physical and mental health. Each type of exercise’s impact and the effective exercise combinations were examined. Time and group interaction effects on the WHO-5 scores were investigated using a two-way analysis of covariance. Of the final sample, 65.1% engaged in walking. The WHO-5 mean scores at BL and FL were 16.7 and 15.4 for the walking group and 16.7 and 14.5 for the non-walking group, respectively; interaction for time and group was significant. Additionally, 56.4% of the participants engaged home training. The WHO-5 mean score at BL and FL were 17.5 and 15.5 for the home training group and 15.7 and 14.5 for the no home training group, respectively; there was no significant interaction. Older adults who engaged in both walking and home training received higher score on the WHO-5 than those who engaged in only one activity at FL. The decline in psychological well-being was most attenuated in the walking only group compared to the at-home exercise and strength training groups. Exercise as a coping strategy during the stay-at-home period was associated with psychological well-being, with different impacts observed depending on the type of activity.

‘Make the Most of the Situation’. Older Adults’ Experiences during COVID-19: A Longitudinal, Qualitative Study

“…As found in prior studies, participants in this study adjusted their routines during the COVID-19 pandemic to engage in activities that were meaningful to them ( Huntley & Bratt, 2022 ), that supported their mental and physical health, such as exercise ( Ejiri et al, 2021 ; Takashima, Onishi & Hirano, 2020 ; Whitehead & Torossian, 2021 ), shaping their trajectories during the pandemic. Similar to prior studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, participants described their enhanced enjoyment of daily activities ( Fiocco et al, 2021 ; Huntley & Bratt, 2022 ).…”

Capturing the Features of Physical Activity in Old Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of an Italian Survey

“…In particular, walking outdoor seems to be the most maintained activity in males, accordingly to the previous results [ 30 ]. This aspect should be underlined, considering that walking, adopted as a coping strategy during the pandemic period, is also associated with psychological wellbeing [ 38 ]. As for the other types of PA, it is well known that vigorous-to-moderate PA levels may produce the greatest benefits in performing the activities of daily living and have the most significant health effects in older adults [ 39 ].…”

Impactos da pandemia de COVID-19 na saúde física dos idosos: uma revisão integrativa

“…No Japão, o governo se mostrou como um importante ator no incentivo de mudanças na questão da saúde da população idosa, na qual foi possível observar a promoção de melhores hábitos durante a pandemia. Nesse panorama, percebe-se a importância e o papel do Estado no incentivo e na publicização dos benefícios da atividade física para que haja uma evolução na saúde física e mental dos idosos (Ejiri et al, 2021).…”