Physical activity in a pandemic: A new treatment target for psychological therapy

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic and its management are placing significant new strains on people’s well‐being, particularly those with pre‐existing mental health conditions. Physical activity has been shown to improve mental as well as physical health. Increasing activity levels should be prioritized as a treatment target, especially when the barriers to exercise are greater than ever. Promoting physical activity has not traditionally been the remit of psychologists. Yet psychological theory and therapeutic techniques can be readily applied to address physical inactivity. We present theoretical perspectives and therapy techniques relating to (1) beliefs about physical activity, (2) motivation to be physically active, and (3) the sense of reward achieved through being physically active. We outline strategies to initiate and maintain physical activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic, thereby benefitting mental and physical health. COVID‐19 is demanding rapid and substantial change across the whole health care system. Psychological therapists can respond creatively by addressing physical activity, a treatable clinical target which delivers both mental and physical health benefits. Practitioner points Physical activity is essential for our mental and physical health. Yet COVID‐19 presents novel barriers to physical activity. Psychological theory and techniques to address beliefs, motivation, and reward can be applied to increase physical activity during COVID‐19. Physical activity is an important clinical target to sustain and improve mental health, especially in the current pandemic.

Longitudinal changes in anxiety and psychological distress, and associated risk and protective factors during the first three months of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany

“…While some of the factors showed stable associations with all outcomes (e.g., substance abuse), others did not. For example, physical activity is recommended for the prevention and coping with mental health problems (Arora & Grey, 2020; Diamond & Waite, 2020) and was associated with a better mental health in the pandemic (Petzold, Bendau, Plag, Pyrkosch, Mascarell Maricic, et al., 2020; Pieh et al., 2020; Stanton et al., 2020), but on a longitudinal perspective, it showed only a predictive value regarding the subjective evaluation of one’s anxiety as exaggerated and generating burdens in daily life. Moreover, for example, health‐related self‐efficacy showed stronger associations on the long than on the short run.…”

Social Cognition and Socioecological Predictors of Home-Based Physical Activity Intentions, Planning, and Habits during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As studies continue to emerge indicating the importance of remaining physically active during the pandemic [61][62][63], the current study offered a unique perspective by investigating the role of home exercise equipment. Though the study findings should be kept in an appropriate scope along with its limitations and notes for improvement.…”

COVID-19—The largest isolation study in history: the value of shared learnings from spaceflight analogs

“…Acute and chronic exercise has also been shown to improve innate and adaptive immunity [52][53][54] . Recent research highlights physical activity is an important clinical target to sustain and improve mental health during the current pandemic 55 .…”