The association between physical activity and mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic affected countries worldwide and has changed peoples’ lives. A reduction in physical activity and increased mental health problems were observed, mainly in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this systematic review aims to examine the association between physical activity and mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In July 2021, a search was applied to PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included cross-sectional, prospective, and longitudinal study designs and studies published in English; outcomes included physical activity and mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms, anxiety, positive and negative effects, well-being). Results Thirty-one studies were included in this review. Overall, the studies suggested that higher physical activity is associated with higher well-being, quality of life as well as lower depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress, independently of age. There was no consensus for the optimal physical activity level for mitigating negative mental symptoms, neither for the frequency nor for the type of physical activity. Women were more vulnerable to mental health changes and men were more susceptive to physical activity changes. Conclusion Physical activity has been a good and effective choice to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health policies should alert for possibilities to increase physical activity during the stay-at-home order in many countries worldwide.

Physical Activity and Stress of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany—A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas

“…This could be because the time for PA in PE classes is mostly less than 60 min as well as because the PE classes included less PA due to the existing obligations to wear masks and keep a distance. Regarding the stress symptoms, the positive association of well-being with PA is in line with other studies investigating the relation of mental health and PA during the first year of the pandemic [ 33 ]. Recall that, as the causality of this relationship is not clear, it can be interpreted in both ways.…”

“…From a psychopathological perspective, the focus was primarily on depression. Most studies showed a negative correlation between depressive symptoms and PA in children and adolescents during the first year of the pandemic [ 28 , 33 ]. Pre-pandemic data revealed mixed results.…”

“…Despite the fact that the causality of the relationship is not as clear-cut as often assumed [ 30 , 31 , 32 ], most studies postulate a positive effect of PA on mental health. Cross-sectional studies also basically demonstrated the relationship between PA and mental health of children and adolescents in the pandemic as well [ 28 , 33 ]. However, there are hardly any longitudinal studies that examined the causality of this relationship during the pandemic.…”

“…Generally, it can be stated that children’s and adolescents’ mental health and PA as well as their relationship has been scientifically evaluated during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the number of studies is scarce, especially compared to studies in adults and elders [ 3 , 33 , 34 ]. In particular, children under the age of ten were rarely investigated [ 3 , 34 ].…”

Cultivating a Healthy Living Environment for Adolescents in the Post-COVID Era in Hong Kong: Exploring Youth Health Needs

“…Physical activity is well recognized as a key factor in the prevention and management of mental illness, including mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, as well as the promotion of mental health, such as well-being [ 50 ]. Physical activity was also found to be a good and effective choice to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 51 ].…”