Changes in Physical Activity and Mental Health during COVID-19 [COVID-19 and Physical Activity Series]

Perceived change in physical activity levels and mental health during COVID-19 By Dr. Duncan and co-authors is a cross-sectional study of 909 adult twin pairs.  Data was collected between March 26 and April 5, 2020 using a survey examining the impact of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on health behaviors and health outcomes.  Specifically, the exposure was perceived change in physical activity levels and the outcome was perceived anxiety and stress levels.  Previous studies have shown impacts of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress) and physical activity levels.  Dr. Duncan and co-authors found that more twin pairs reported a decrease in physical activity levels (42%) than those reporting no change (31%) or increased physical activity levels (27%).  They attributed a decrease in physical activity levels to a lack of time (e.g., balancing work at home with child care) or a lack of resources (e.g., equipment at home, living in neighborhoods that do not support being physically active).  Dr. Duncan and co-authors also found that a perceived decrease in physical activity levels was associated with higher stress and anxiety levels.  Interestingly, respondents who reported an increase in their physical activity levels also reported higher levels of stress and anxiety.  The physical activity-stress relationship was confounded by genetic and shared environmental factors, while the physical activity-anxiety relationship was confounded by age and sex.  Physical distancing...may have an impact on individuals’ daily activities and mental health, specifically with slightly higher levels of stress and anxiety among those who experienced a decreased amount of physical activity.  Dr. Duncan and co-authors call for longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on health behaviors and outcomes and to examine whether physical activity and mental health levels return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Duncan, G. E., Avery, A. R., Seto, E., & Tsang, S. (2020). Perceived change in physical activity levels and mental health during COVID-19: Findings among adult twin pairs. PloS one, 15(8), e0237695.