Daniel D Callow1, Naomi A Arnold-Nedimala2, Leslie S Jordan1, Gabriel S Pena2, Junyeon Won2, John L Woodard3, J Carson Smith4. 1. Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland (DDC, NAA-N, LSJ, GSP, JW, JCS), College Park, MD; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland (DDC, LSJ, JCS), College Park, MD. 2. Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland (DDC, NAA-N, LSJ, GSP, JW, JCS), College Park, MD. 3. Department of Psychology, Wayne State University (JLW), Detroit, MI. 4. Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland (DDC, NAA-N, LSJ, GSP, JW, JCS), College Park, MD; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland (DDC, LSJ, JCS), College Park, MD. Electronic address: carson@umd.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the amount and intensity of physical activity performed by older adults in North America (United States and Canada) and their depression and anxiety symptoms while currently under social distancing guidelines (SDG) for the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Online survey conducted between April 9 and April 30, 2020, during the COVD-19 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS: About 1,046 older adults over the age of 50 who live in North America. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked about their basic demographic information, current health status, and the impact of the current SDG on their subjective state of mental health. Participants completed the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, to determine the amount and intensity of physical activity performed, as well as both the Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Scale, to ascertain the extent of their depression and anxiety-like symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent of participants indicated that they adhered to current SDG "Most of the time" or "Strictly." Participants who performed greater levels of physical activity experienced lower levels of depression-like symptoms when age, sex, and education were accounted for; however, no relationship between physical activity and anxiety-like symptoms was found. A hierarchical regression analysis that incorporated the intensity of physical activity performed (light, moderate, and vigorous) in the model indicated that greater light and strenuous activity, but not moderate, predicted lower depression-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that performing even light physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic may help alleviate some of the negative mental health impacts that older adults may be experiencing while isolated and adhering to SDG during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the amount and intensity of physical activity performed by older adults in North America (United States and Canada) and their depression and anxiety symptoms while currently under social distancing guidelines (SDG) for the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Online survey conducted between April 9 and April 30, 2020, during the COVD-19 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS: About 1,046 older adults over the age of 50 who live in North America. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked about their basic demographic information, current health status, and the impact of the current SDG on their subjective state of mental health. Participants completed the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, to determine the amount and intensity of physical activity performed, as well as both the Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Scale, to ascertain the extent of their depression and anxiety-like symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent of participants indicated that they adhered to current SDG "Most of the time" or "Strictly." Participants who performed greater levels of physical activity experienced lower levels of depression-like symptoms when age, sex, and education were accounted for; however, no relationship between physical activity and anxiety-like symptoms was found. A hierarchical regression analysis that incorporated the intensity of physical activity performed (light, moderate, and vigorous) in the model indicated that greater light and strenuous activity, but not moderate, predicted lower depression-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that performing even light physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic may help alleviate some of the negative mental health impacts that older adults may be experiencing while isolated and adhering to SDG during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authors: Eduardo Melguizo-Ibáñez; Virginia Viciana-Garófano; Félix Zurita-Ortega; José Luis Ubago-Jiménez; Gabriel González-Valero Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2020-12-24
Authors: Alessandro Porrovecchio; Pedro R Olivares; Philippe Masson; Thierry Pezé; Linda Lombi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Mami Shibata; Julius Burkauskas; Artemisa R Dores; Kei Kobayashi; Sayaka Yoshimura; Pierluigi Simonato; Ilaria De Luca; Dorotea Cicconcelli; Valentina Giorgetti; Irene P Carvalho; Fernando Barbosa; Cristina Monteiro; Toshiya Murai; Maria A Gómez-Martínez; Zsolt Demetrovics; Krisztina Edina Ábel; Attila Szabo; Alejandra Rebeca Melero Ventola; Eva Maria Arroyo-Anlló; Ricardo M Santos-Labrador; Inga Griskova-Bulanova; Aiste Pranckeviciene; Giuseppe Bersani; Hironobu Fujiwara; Ornella Corazza Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2021-07-06