Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

James Faulkner; Wendy J O'Brien; Bronagh McGrane; Daniel Wadsworth; John Batten; Christopher D Askew; Claire Badenhorst; Erin Byrd; Maura Coulter; Nick Draper; Catherine Elliot; Simon Fryer; Michael J Hamlin; John Jakeman; Kelly A Mackintosh; Melitta A McNarry; Andrew Mitchelmore; John Murphy; Helen Ryan-Stewart; Zoe Saynor; Mia Schaumberg; Keeron Stone; Lee Stoner; Beth Stuart; Danielle Lambrick

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

J Sci Med Sport. 2021 Apr;24(4):320-326. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016. Epub 2020 Dec 3.

Authors

James Faulkner¹, Wendy J O'Brien², Bronagh McGrane³, Daniel Wadsworth⁴, John Batten⁵, Christopher D Askew⁶, Claire Badenhorst², Erin Byrd⁷, Maura Coulter³, Nick Draper⁸, Catherine Elliot⁹, Simon Fryer¹⁰, Michael J Hamlin⁹, John Jakeman⁷, Kelly A Mackintosh¹¹, Melitta A McNarry¹¹, Andrew Mitchelmore⁷, John Murphy³, Helen Ryan-Stewart⁵, Zoe Saynor¹², Mia Schaumberg¹³, Keeron Stone¹⁰, Lee Stoner¹⁴, Beth Stuart¹⁵, Danielle Lambrick¹⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, UK. Electronic address: James.Faulkner@winchester.ac.uk.
² School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, New Zealand.
³ School of Arts Education and Movement, Dublin City University, Ireland.
⁴ School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia; Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Australia.
⁵ School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, UK.
⁶ School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia; Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Australia.
⁷ Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, UK.
⁸ School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
⁹ Department of Tourism, Sport and Society, Lincoln University, New Zealand.
¹⁰ School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, UK.
¹¹ School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, UK.
¹² Physical Activity, Health and Rehabilitation Thematic Research Group, School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, UK.
¹³ School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia; Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Australia; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
¹⁴ Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
¹⁵ Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.
¹⁶ Health and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments' Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional.

Methods: An online survey was disseminated to adults (n=8,425; 44.5±14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.

Results: Participants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p<0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p<0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p<0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease; depression; exercise; lifestyle behavior change; pandemic; sedentary time.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Anxiety / diagnosis
Anxiety / etiology
Australia
COVID-19 / prevention & control*
COVID-19 / psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression / diagnosis
Depression / etiology
Depression / prevention & control
Exercise / psychology*
Female
Health Behavior*
Health Policy
Humans
Ireland
Male
Mental Health*
Middle Aged
New Zealand
Physical Distancing*
Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
Stress, Psychological / etiology
Stress, Psychological / prevention & control
United Kingdom
Young Adult