Impact of Social Distancing Associated with The COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Levels and Associations With Mood State: An Internet-Based Survey

• Published in: BMC Public Health 2020
• Main Authors: Puccinelli, Paulo, Taline da Costa, Seffrin, Aldo, de Lira, Claudio, Vancini, Rodrigo, Nikolaidis, Pantelis, Knechtle, Beat, Rosemann, Thomas, Hill, Lee, Marilia dos Santos Andrade
• Format: Text Resource
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advertisements; Anxiety; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease; Disorders; Emotional disorders; Families & family life; Internet; Mood disorders; Pandemics; Quality of life; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social distancing
• DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-113847/v1

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity during social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2,140 female and male Brazilians who were recruited through online advertising. RESULTS: Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, considering all the non-communicable diseases and mental diseases associated with physical inactivity, humans are likely to be much more vulnerable during this period of social distancing, including that of combating a possible COVID-19 disease. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).