Reduced level of physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with depression and anxiety levels: an internet-based survey

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. Methods A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising. Results The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (2.9 ± 1.1) was lower than that adopted prior to the pandemic period (3.5 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

Follow-Up Survey of the Impact of COVID-19 on People Living with HIV during the Second Semester of the Pandemic

“…Although all the surveys from the general population available in literature employed the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales, these have been shown to yield similar estimates as the PHQ-2 and GAD-2 scales which we used for screening depression and anxiety respectively [ 24 , 25 ]. Compared to PLWH (our study), the frequency of depression and anxiety among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar in Belgium [ 23 ] but higher in Brazil [ 26 ], France [ 27 ], and Russia [ 28 ]. These data are encouraging as they suggest that the pandemic’s toll on psychosocial well-being is not more severe among PLWH compared to the general population.…”

Adherence to a Lifestyle Exercise and Nutrition Intervention in University Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“… Lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on health [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. …”

“…If the decrease in PA (38%) and the increase in sedentary behavior (28.6%), reported by Ammar et al [ 4 ], were maintained over time, as estimation of the cases of type 2 diabetes and the mortality from all causes worldwide would increase between 7.2–9.6% and 9.4–12.5%, respectively [ 21 ]. Lower levels of PA have also affected mental health, increasing the prevalence of anxiety and depression, symptoms that can, in turn, affect the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles [ 22 ].…”

Changes in Training, Lifestyle, Psychological and Demographic Factors, and Associations With Running-Related Injuries During COVID-19

“…For example, recent work studying youth long-distance runners found that COVID-19 social distancing restrictions impacted training habits (Bazett-Jones et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, recent studies have illustrated that physical activity levels during the COVID-19 global pandemic have decreased (Castañeda-Babarro et al, 2020 ; Gallè et al, 2020 ; Eek et al, 2021 ; Fearnbach et al, 2021 ; Puccinelli et al, 2021 ; Wilke et al, 2021 ). Self-reported moderate physical activity levels have been reported to decrease by 41%, while Eek and colleagues depicted that more than 65% of the participants reported changes in their physical activity (Eek et al, 2021 ; Wilke et al, 2021 ).…”