Changes in Physical Activity due to COVID-19 and Associations with Mental Health [COVID-19 and Physical Activity Series]

Changes in Physical activity and Sedentary Behavior due to the COVID-19 Outbreak and Associations with Mental Health by Dr. Meyer and co-authors is a cross-sectional study of 3,052 U.S. adults.  Previous studies have indicated average decreases in step counts as a result of COVID-related public health restrictions, as well as high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms likely associated with the pandemic.  Dr. Meyer and co-authors recruited participants through convenience sampling from Iowa State University faculty, staff, students and alumni, and additional snowball sampling resulting in responses from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  They assessed mental health using Perceived Stress Scale-4, 3-item Loneliness, Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, and Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories.  Dr. Meyer and co-authors found that weekly physical activity was reduced after COVID-19-related restrictions among previously active participants (mean change: -32.3% [95% CI: -36.3%, -28.1%]) but largely unchanged among previously inactive participants (+2.3% [-3.5%, +8.1%]); sitting time was increased (previously active: +26.4% [+22.6%, +30.1%]; inactive: +16.0% [+13.2%, +18.8%]) and screen time was increased (previously active: +37.8% [+32.7%, +43.0%]; inactive: +25.3% [+21.6%, +29.1%]).  They also found that no longer meeting physical activity guidelines and increased screen time following COVID-19-related restrictions were consistently associated with worse mental health (i.e., higher depressive symptoms, loneliness, stress, lower positive mental health; all p<0.001).  Previously active participants who were no longer active following COVID-19-related public health restrictions reported worse mental health compared to those who maintained their activity level.  The findings strongly support the need to implement and support measures that promote physical activity while limiting screen time throughout the duration of COVID-19 restrictions to mitigate short- and likely long-term mental health consequences. 

Meyer, J., McDowell, C., Lansing, J., Brower, C., Smith, L., Tully, M. & Herring, M. (2020). Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviour due to the COVID-19 outbreak and associations with mental health in 3,052 US adults. 10.33774/coe-2020-h0b8g.