TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis
AU - Faulkner, James
AU - O'Brien, Wendy
AU - McGrane, Bronagh
AU - Wadsworth, Daniel
AU - Batten, John
AU - Askew, Chris
AU - Badenhorst, Claire
AU - Byrd, Erin
AU - Coulter, Maura
AU - Draper, Nick
AU - Elliot, Catherine
AU - Fryer, Simon
AU - Hamlin, Mike
AU - Jakeman, John
AU - Mackintosh, Kelly
AU - McNarry, Melitta
AU - Mitchelmore, Andrew
AU - Murphy, John
AU - Ryan-Stewart, Helen
AU - Saynor, Zoe
AU - Schaumberg, Mia
AU - Stone, Keeron
AU - Stoner, Lee
AU - stuart, beth
AU - Lambrick, Danielle
PY - 2020/12/2
Y1 - 2020/12/2
N2 - Objectives
To assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments’ Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.
Design
Observational, cross-sectional.
Methods
An online survey was disseminated to adults (n = 8,425; 44.5 ± 14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.
Results
Participants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p < 0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p < 0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.
AB - Objectives
To assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments’ Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.
Design
Observational, cross-sectional.
Methods
An online survey was disseminated to adults (n = 8,425; 44.5 ± 14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.
Results
Participants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p < 0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p < 0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.
KW - Coronavirus disease
KW - Pandemic
KW - Lifestyle behaviour change
KW - Exercise
KW - Depression
KW - Sedentary time
U2 - 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016
DO - 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016
M3 - Article
JO - Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
JF - Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
SN - 1440-2440
ER -