Physical Inactivity in the COVID-19 Period: Determinants and Possible Relationship with Adverse Psychological Effects

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to look into the possible factors associated with physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Secondly, it seeks to investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) levels on self-reported psychological outcomes following the curfews. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic. A total of 105 healthy participants, aged between 18-65 years, were recruited. For the purposes of characterisation, clinical and demographic data were collected. The participants were divided into three groups based on their total International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores in pre- and post-pandemic periods: Group 1: high PA (≥3000 MET min/week), Group 2: moderate PA (600≤MET<3000 min/week), and Group 3: low PA (<600 MET min/week). To evaluate the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the participants, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used. While clinical and demographic data were used as variables to determine possible factors associated with PA during the COVID-19 period, the change of IPAQ and DASS-21 scores over time was taken as a criterion in the relationship between PA levels and psychological problems. Results: ANCOVA revealed a significant group*period interaction effect regarding depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the participants showed significant differences between the two periods [(p<.001; η2p=.175); (p=.033; η2p=.064); (p=<.001; η2p=.132), respectively]. The results demonstrated a clear association between low PA and deterioration of emotional status in terms of both periods. In bivariate analysis, female sex, higher average hours of sleep (≥9.2 hours), being smoker, higher levels of depression (≥7.3), anxiety (≥4.9), and stress (≥9.2) were associated with a low PA during the pandemic (p=<.001-.049). Conclusion: A clear association between reduced PA and impaired emotional state was found in this study. It seems necessary to address these factors and increase awareness of individuals.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• COVID-19
• depression
• physical inactivity
• stress

COVID-19 Döneminde Fiziksel İnaktivite: Belirleyicileri ve Olumsuz Psikolojik Etkilerle Muhtemel İlişkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı birincil olarak COVID-19 döneminde fiziksel inaktivite ile ilişkili olası faktörleri araştırmaktır. İkincil olarak ise sokağa çıkma yasağını takiben fiziksel aktivite (FA) seviyesinin kişisel bildirimli psikolojik bulgulara etkisinin araştırılmasıdır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniğinde kesitsel bir çalışma yapıldı. 18-65 yaşları arasında toplam 105 sağlıklı katılımcı dâhil edildi. Klinik ve demografik veriler kaydedildikten sonra katılımcılar, pandemi öncesi ve pandemi dönemi için toplam Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi (IPAQ) puanlarına göre üç gruba ayrıldılar: Grup 1: yüksek FA (≥3000 MET dk/hafta), Grup 2: orta FA (600≤MET<3000 dk/hafta) ve Grup 3: düşük FA (<600 MET dk/hafta). Katılımcıların pandemi öncesi ve sonrası depresyon, anksiyete ve stres düzeylerini değerlendirmek için Depresyon, Kaygı ve Stres Ölçeği (DASS-21) kullanıldı. COVID-19 döneminde FA ile ilişkili olası faktörlerin belirlenmesinde klinik ve demografik veriler değişken olarak kullanılırken, FA seviyeleri ve psikolojik problemlerin ilişkisinde IPAQ ve DASS-21 skorlarının zaman içindeki değişimi ölçüt alındı. Bulgular: ANCOVA, sırasıyla depresyon, anksiyete ve stres ile ilgili olarak anlamlı bir grup*dönem etkileşim etkisi ortaya çıkardı. Katılımcıların depresyon, kaygı ve stres düzeyleri iki dönem arasında anlamlı farklılık gösterdi [sırasıyla (p<.001; η2p=.175); (p=.033; η2p=.064); (p=<.001; η2p=.132)]. Sonuçlar, her iki dönem açısından düşük FA ile duygusal durumun kötüleşmesi arasında açık bir ilişki olduğunu gösterdi. İki değişkenli analizde, kadın cinsiyet, yüksek ortalama uyku süresi (≥9.2 saat), sigara içmek, daha yüksek depresyon (≥7.3), anksiyete (≥4.9) ve stres (≥9.2) seviyeleri, pandemi dönemindeki düşük FA ile ilişkili bulundu (p=<.001-.049). Sonuç: Bu çalışmada, azalmış FA ile duygusal durumun kötüleşmesi arasında açık bir ilişki olduğu saptandı. Belirlenen bu ilişkisel faktörleri göz önünde bulundurmak ve bireylerin farkındalığını artırmak önemli görülmektedir.

Keywords

• Anksiyete
• COVID-19
• depresyon
• fiziksel inaktivite
• stres

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