Association between Regular Exercise and Self-Rated Health and Sleep Quality among Adults in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Hyuma Makizako,Sachiko Shimizu,Satoshi Nagano,Ku-Ohl Project Team ,Takayuki Tabira,Masami Mizuno,Yuriko Ikeda,Naomi Inoue,Tomomi Masumitsu,Misako Hisamatsu,Tadasu Ohshige,Ikuko Nishio,Mikiyo Wakamatsu,Ayako Yamashita,Ryoji Kiyama,Daisaku Nishimoto

doi:10.3390/ijerph181910515

Hyuma Makizako, Sachiko Shimizu + Show 14 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910515

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Abstract

Regular exercise may be associated with better self-rated health and sleep status. However, this correlation among various age groups, such as young, middle-aged, and older people, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, has not been examined. This study examined the correlation between regular exercise and self-rated health and sleep quality among adults in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using an online survey conducted between February 26 and 27, 2021. A total of 1410 adults in Japan (age range, 20–86 years) completed the online survey. Regular exercise was divided into: (1) more than 30 min of moderate exercise a day, (2) more than 2 days per week, and (3) continuous for 1 year or longer. Self-rated health and sleep quality were assessed using the Likert scale. After adjusting for multiple confounders, regular exercise was correlated with decreased poor self-rated health and poor sleep quality in middle-aged adults; however, no significant correlation was observed among young and older adults. The promotion of regular exercise among middle-aged people during the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to better self-rated health and sleep quality status.

Highlights

COVID-19 continued to be a global issue in 2021 [1]
This study examined the correlation between regular exercise and Self-Rated Health (SRH) and sleep quality among adults in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic
These results suggest that promotion of regular exercise among middle-aged people during the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to better SRH and sleep quality

Summary

Introduction

COVID-19 continued to be a global issue in 2021 [1]. The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in lifestyle and health behavior, such as physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, among people of all ages, including university students, middle-aged adults, and older adults [2,3,4]. Sustained physical inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on future health outcomes. Physical activity may be strongly associated with a reduced risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes [5]. Efforts to promote physical activity should be prioritized by public health agencies, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular exercise under the COVID-19 pandemic among people of all ages could be key to a long-term healthy life

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