To a greater or lesser extent, much of the world during 2020 resorted to quarantine to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Stay home” was the slogan that was replicated in all languages. Necessary to try to contain the advance of viruses, but not harmless, especially for mental health. Behind looking for strategies that could be used for future pandemics – which, it is known, we will have to face and for this, which has not yet ended, researchers analyzed the impact of physical activity during confinement. Spoiler: serves.
Physical activity promotes mental health during confinement, as its decrease during this period caused psychological problems in the current population, according to research conducted by four Spanish universities and one Canadian.
This research describes the effect of physical activity on the psychological health of the population during the onset of the pandemic, to determine whether movement may be a good strategy to contribute to emotional well-being in other possible pandemics, they point out from the International University of La Rioja (UNIR).
Unrelated to this study, a survey conducted by IPSOS researcher among 22,000 participants from 30 countries, the results were known this week, released that 27% increased the amount of exercise since the beginning of the pandemic, while it reduced it by 23% (in Argentina, it was almost a draw, but “won” by a narrow margin the most sedentary: 27% vs. 28%). On the other hand, regular exercise was identified by 38% of respondents globally as the measure most likely to reduce the risk of severe Covid-19 symptoms (even before other postulated options, such as stopping smoking, taking vitamin D or losing weight).
Move, when and wherever
Researchers from UNIR, University of Barcelona, University of La Laguna, Ramon Llull University of Barcelona and The University of British Columbia in Vancouver (Canada) described in the work published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health the effect of physical activity on the psychological health of the population during confinement, from the systematic review of scientific evidence on the impacts of the pandemic.
This is a first step in research to determine if playing sports can be a good strategy for you contribute to emotional well-being in case of a pandemic.
“The confinement caused psychological disorders in people, more in adults than in children“, Stated the researcher Maria Glòria Gallego-Jiménez, from UNIR, who added that the work showed that” the population sought resources to practice sports, using technology “.
The researchers found 180 scientific articles published between January 1, 2019 and July 15, 2020 in all research databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, they selected 15 for the research. The study is part of an international project to study the relationship between physical activity and mental health during the pandemic, in which 15 countries are collaborating.
This systematic review summarizes the existing evidence on the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic on psychological well-being in adult populations and the effects obtained from physical activity on psychological health during this period.
In adults, the impact was greater than in boys, according to the researchers. Illustrative photo Shutterstock.
The review of articles concluded that the pandemic and containment measures caused it stress, anxiety, social isolation and psychological distress in adults; as well as higher-than-usual levels of depression and anxiety among first-line medical staff.
In addition, several studies specifically refer to how adults became more sedentary during their forties and decreased their levels of physical activity, with harmful psychological outcomes.