Factors Associated with the Level of Physical Activity in Middle-Aged Colombian People during Lockdown in Response to COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, mandatory confinement was declared, which generated a decrease in the practice of physical activity (PA). Based on this problem, it was proposed to study the associations between PA in relation to depressive symptoms, quality of sleep, and the quality of life of middle-aged people who work in the university context during compulsory confinement as a result of COVID-19. (2) Methods: A total of 336 middle-aged people (48 ± 6.67) participated in this analytical cross-sectional study. The variable levels of PA, quality of sleep, symptoms of depression, and quality of life were measured with the International Physical Activity Questionary (IPAQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), and the SF-12v2 questionnaire, respectively. (3) Results: A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationships between the level of PA and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.053), total sleep duration (OR = 0.495), sleep disturbances (OR = 2.414), quality of sleep (OR = 2.471), use of sleep medication (OR = 0.348), daytime dysfunction (OR = 1.809), general health (OR = 0.949), and physical functioning (OR = 0.987). (4) Conclusions: In middle-aged people, during compulsory confinement, being insufficiently active is a risk for depressive symptoms and disturbances in sleep quality.

Association between the experience of exertional heat illness (EHI) and living conditions of collegiate student athletes

“…Prevention is more important than any existing treatment for EHI (5); thus, it is necessary to know the risk factors of EHI to implement adequate preventive measures. The current risk factors for EHI include low physical fitness, being overweight, exercising during hot weather, sleep deprivation, improper inadequate acclimatization, high heat index in accordance with Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), solar radiation, physical exertion beyond one's physical fitness capacity, inadequate physical activity/rest cycle, lack of proper medical triage, and inadequate treatment (10).…”

“…Exertional heatstroke (EHS) is usually caused by strenuous physical activities performed in a hot and humid environment and is characterized by central nervous system dysfunction (such as collapse, convulsions, and coma), followed by organ and tissue damage, and even death in patients with hyperthermia (4). The incidence of EHI is estimated to be 1 in 1000 athletes, and it is the third leading cause of death among athletes during physical activities, with epidemiological data indicating a mortality rate of approximately 27% (5).…”

The Perception of Physical Activity / Physical Education Among University Employees

“…This trend of less daily PA imposed by the pandemic means sedentary behavior for individuals, who are unfortunately exposed to the risks associated with this behavior (Constandt et al, 2020). Moreover, because of the confinement, some individuals experienced depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, issues concerning mental health, and disturbances in sleep quality, Garcia-Garro et al (2022), all of which affect the quality of life.…”