Abstract
Measures implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have resulted in a decrease in physical activity (PA) while sedentary behaviour increased. The aim of the present study was to explore associations between PA and mental health in Austria during COVID-19 social restrictions. In this web-based cross-sectional study (April–May 2020) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sitting time, and time spent outdoors were self-reported before and during self-isolation. Mental well-being was assessed with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and the Beck depression and anxiety inventories. The majority of the participants (n = 652) were female (72.4%), with a mean age of 36.0 years and a standard deviation (SD) of 14.4. Moreover, 76.5% took part in ≥30 min/day of MVPA, 53.5% sat ≥10 h/day, and 66.1% spent ≥60 min/day outdoors during self-isolation. Thirty-eight point five percent reported high mental well-being, 40.5% reported depressive symptoms, and 33.9% anxiety symptoms. Participating in higher levels of MVPA was associated with higher mental well-being (odds ratio = OR: 3.92; 95% confidence interval = 95%CI: 1.51–10.15), less depressive symptoms (OR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.29–0.66) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.41–0.94), and less loneliness (OR: 0.46; 95%CI: 0.31–0.69). Participants sitting <10 h/day had higher odds of mental well-being (OR: 3.58; 95%CI: 1.13–11.35). Comparable results were found for spending ≥60 min/day outdoors. Maintaining one’s MVPA levels was associated with higher mental well-being (OR = 8.61, 95%CI: 2.68–27.62). In conclusion, results show a positive association between PA, time spent outdoors and mental well-being during COVID-19 social restrictions. Interventions aiming to increase PA might mitigate negative effects of such restrictions.
Highlights
To reduce the spread and infection rate of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and various governments have enforced and are still enforcing public health interventions to promote physical distancing [1]
Our findings suggest that higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are associated with reduced depressive symptoms, and are in line with previous studies conducted in various countries across the globe [20,36,37,38,39]
The observed relationship between sitting time and depressive symptoms in our study is comparable to findings by Schuch and colleagues, who reported that individuals spending ≥ 10 h/day on sedentary behaviour were more likely to present with depressive symptoms, but not anxiety [20]
Summary
To reduce the spread and infection rate of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and various governments have enforced and are still enforcing public health interventions to promote physical distancing [1]. Individuals are encouraged to take up vaccination opportunities, wear masks, keep rooms well-ventilated, pay more attention to personal hygiene using hydroalcoholic gels, and go into self-isolation, whenever necessary. In Austria, the first “lockdown” measures were implemented on the 16 March 2020. The specific measures introduced by the Austrian government included limiting mobility, and individuals were advised to stay at home and limit their outings to the essentials such as buying food, going to the pharmacy or using medical services. Educational institutions and nonessential businesses (such as restaurants and bars, gyms, museums, theatres) were closed, and individuals were advised to work remotely (whenever possible) [2,3].
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