BACKGROUND: Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical activity (PA) and mental health is important to demonstrate the need for interventions. This study examined the apparent impact of the pandemic on college students' PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. METHODS: From 2015 through 2020, data were collected at the beginning and end of the spring semester at a large Northeastern US university via an online survey assessing student demographics, PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Mixed ANOVA examined differences in PA and mental health changes over the spring semester between "normal" and COVID-19 circumstances. Two-way ANOVA examined the interaction between circumstance and changes in PA in relation to changes in mental health. RESULTS: Participants (n = 1019) were predominately women and non-Hispanic white. There was a significant decline in PA and an increase in perceived stress under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances and a significant increase in depressive symptoms under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances among women. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decline in PA and mental health among college students occurred under COVID-19 circumstances, and PA did not appear to protect against deterioration in mental health. Proactive and innovative policies, programs, and practices to promote student health and well-being must be explored immediately.
BACKGROUND: Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical activity (PA) and mental health is important to demonstrate the need for interventions. This study examined the apparent impact of the pandemic on college students' PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. METHODS: From 2015 through 2020, data were collected at the beginning and end of the spring semester at a large Northeastern US university via an online survey assessing student demographics, PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Mixed ANOVA examined differences in PA and mental health changes over the spring semester between "normal" and COVID-19 circumstances. Two-way ANOVA examined the interaction between circumstance and changes in PA in relation to changes in mental health. RESULTS: Participants (n = 1019) were predominately women and non-Hispanic white. There was a significant decline in PA and an increase in perceived stress under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances and a significant increase in depressive symptoms under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances among women. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decline in PA and mental health among college students occurred under COVID-19 circumstances, and PA did not appear to protect against deterioration in mental health. Proactive and innovative policies, programs, and practices to promote student health and well-being must be explored immediately.
Entities:
Keywords:
depression; exercise; stress; wellbeing; young adults
Authors: Eduardo Gonzalez Villarreal; Laura S Kabiri; Cassandra S Diep; Heidi Y Perkins; Amanda M Perkins-Ball; Augusto X Rodriguez Journal: Int J Exerc Sci Date: 2022-07-01
Authors: Lisa A Schwartz; Amanda M Lewis; Melissa A Alderfer; Gabriela Vega; Lamia P Barakat; Sara King-Dowling; Alexandra M Psihogios; Kimberly S Canter; Lori Crosby; Kamyar Arasteh; Paul Enlow; Aimee K Hildenbrand; Nancy Kassam-Adams; Ahna Pai; Thao-Ly Phan; Julia Price; Corinna L Schultz; Erica Sood; Jordan Wood; Anne Kazak Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2022-06-07
Authors: Souhail Hermassi; El Ghali Bouhafs; Nicola Luigi Bragazzi; Shiro Ichimura; Khaled E Alsharji; Lawrence D Hayes; René Schwesig Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-12 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Chih-Chien Shen; Yi-Han Tseng; Meng-Chun Susan Shen; Hsiao-Hsien Lin Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-10 Impact factor: 3.390