Physical Activity and Positive Mental Health Before and During COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders [COVID-19 and Physical Activity Series]

Physical activity is positively associated with college students’ positive affect regardless of stressful life events during the COVID-19 pandemic by Dr. Maher and co-authors examined the associations between physical activity and affect among college students before and during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and how change in physical activity predicts change in affect.  Data was collected from 107 college students before COVID-19 stay-at-home orders (January 21-March 11, 2020)  and again between April 17 and May 5, 2020.  Data about physical activity was collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form; data about positive and negative affect was collected using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; data about sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; data about food security was collected using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module; and data about stressful life events was collected using the Social Readjustment Rating Scale.  Dr. Maher and co-authors found significant decreases in minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (t (106) = -2.4, p = 0.02), positive affect (t (105) = -6.93, p < 0.001), and sleep quality (t (106) = 5.14, p < 0.001).  They also found that negative affect significantly increased (t (105) = 6.29, p < 0.001).  Dr. Maher and co-authors found that physical activity was associated with positive affect before (B = 0.01, p < 0.01) and during (B = 0.01, p = 0.01) COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.  They also found that physical activity only predicted negative affect before COVID-19 stay-at-home orders (B = −0.003, p = 0.04) and was unable to protect against or attenuate increases in negative affect during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.  Results from the current study suggest that physical activity promotion efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic are needed to enhance positive mental health and well-being, particularly as phased re-openings continue, COVID-19 hotspots emerge, and new quarantines and closures potentially loom.

Maher, J. P., Hevel, D. J., Reifsteck, E. J., & Drollette, E. S. (2020). Physical activity is positively associated with college students' positive affect regardless of stressful life events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology of sport and exercise, 52, 101826.