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Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults within and during the Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions, in the United Kingdom and New Zealand
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Wendy J. O’Brien ,
Beth Stuart,
Lee Stoner ,
John Batten ,
Daniel Wadsworth ,
Christopher D. Askew ,
Claire E. Badenhorst ,
Erin Byrd ,
Nick Draper,
Catherine Elliot ,
Simon Fryer ,
Michael J. Hamlin,
John R. Jakeman ,
Kelly Mackintosh ,
Melitta McNarry ,
Andrew Mitchelmore,
Helen Ryan-Stewart ,
Zoe Saynor ,
Mia A. Schaumberg,
Emily Spiegelhalter,
Keeron Stone,
Danielle Lambrick
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume: 19, Issue: 3, Start page: 1792
Swansea University Authors:
Kelly Mackintosh , Melitta McNarry
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DOI (Published version): 10.3390/ijerph19031792
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) participation was substantially reduced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between PA, mental health, and wellbeing during and following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand (...
| Published in: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
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| ISSN: | 1660-4601 |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59324 |
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| Abstract: |
Physical activity (PA) participation was substantially reduced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between PA, mental health, and wellbeing during and following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand (NZ). In this study, 3363 adults completed online surveys within 2–6 weeks of initial COVID-19 restrictions (April/May 2020) and once restrictions to human movement had been eased. Outcome measures included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9 (mental health) and World Health Organisation-5 Wellbeing Index. There were no differences in PA, mental health or wellbeing between timepoints (p > 0.05). Individuals engaging in moderate or high volume of PA had significantly better mental health (−1.1 and −1.7 units, respectively) and wellbeing (11.4 and 18.6 units, respectively) than individuals who engaged in low PA (p < 0.001). Mental health was better once COVID-19 restrictions were eased (p < 0.001). NZ had better mental health and wellbeing than the UK (p < 0.001). Participation in moderate-to-high volumes of PA was associated with better mental health and wellbeing, both during and following periods of COVID-19 containment, compared to participation in low volumes of PA. Where applicable, during the current or future pandemic(s), moderate-to-high volumes of PA should be encouraged. |
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| Keywords: |
Coronavirus disease; pandemic; lifestyle behaviour change; exercise; depression; lockdown |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
This research was funded by the Institute for Life Sciences, and Higher Education Innovation Fund, University of Southampton, UK and the Research and Knowledge Exchange Centre, University of Winchester, UK |
| Issue: |
3 |
| Start Page: |
1792 |