The impact of self-isolation on the level of physical activity and well-being of students of different specialties during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has made significant adjustments to the educational process, including the higher education system. The purpose of the study: to study the features of the daily routine, motor activity and nutrition, to assess the psycho-emotional indicators, including the level of depression, anxiety in junior students of various specialties during distance learning. Materials and methods: the survey involved 133 respondents (84.6 % female, 15.4 % male) aged 17 to 22 years (M = 18.89; SD = 1.52). The data was collected remotely between November and December 2020. The following methods were used: the author’s questionnaire aimed at studying the regime moments, eating habits and physical activity of students, as well as the assessment of the academic load, the questionnaire «Well-being, activity, mood», the Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberger — Hanin anxiety scale (STAI). The results obtained showed that within the framework of distance learning in self-isolation, such deviations from the recommended hygienic parameters were revealed in junior students, such as an unbalanced diet, a reduced level of physical activity, an increase in school time and sleep deprivation. Conclusion: a close relationship between the physical and emotional states of students is revealed. At the same time, it is the nature of physical activity that is a parameter that combines the physical and emotional well-being of students. The lack of formation of psychohygienic attitudes among students actualizes measures aimed at better coordination of the educational process, activation of curatorial support for students, as well as the development and communication of recommendations to students on the organization of regime moments during distance learning.