Examining the relationship between physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic across five U.S. States

Physical activity levels during COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors in patients with Chagas disease

Background

A better understanding of the consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on lifestyle of patients with Chagas disease (ChD) is of paramount importance to facilitate the implementation of intervention strategies tailored to this specific population.

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the level of physical activity (PA) in Chagas disease (ChD) patients during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its main associated factors.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with 187 patients of both sexes, aged ≥18 years, followed in a national infectious disease center (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The level of PA was determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version and expressed in terms of total volume of physical activity (PA) (MET-minutes per week). Individuals were classified as physically active following the 2020 World Health Organization PA guideline. The exposure variables were age, sex, race, marital status, schooling, income per capita, number of rooms per domicile, number of residents per domicile, body mass index, clinical form of ChD, COVID-19 antibodies, comorbidities, self-reported anxiety, self-reported depression, self-reported fear, and self-reported sadness. The association between the exposure variables with total PA (as a continuous variable) was determined using univariate and multivariate linear regression models.

Results

Mean age was 61.1 ± 11.6 years. Most (62%) were women and self-declared their race as mixed (50.8%). The percentage of physically active individuals according to was 52%. The variables independently associated with total PA levels were non-white race (Exp β = 1.39; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.90), dyslipidemia (Exp β = 0.73; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) and self-reported depression during quarantine (Exp β = 0.71; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.96).

Conclusion

Non-white race was positively associated with total levels of PA, while dyslipidemia, and self-reported depression during quarantine were negatively associated with total levels of PA. The identification of associated factors can facilitate the development of tailored strategies to increase PA levels ChD patients.

Mental health among rural Latino immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic

The mental health of the United States' Latino population significantly deteriorated during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, and Latino immigrants living in rural areas faced unique vulnerabilities. However, few studies have specifically examined the mental health burden and experiences of rural Latino immigrants during the COVID pandemic. To understand the mental health experiences of first- and second-generation Latinos in rural areas, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 Latino residents of rural California counties during July 2020-February 2021 and screened all respondents for major depression and generalized anxiety symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD]-2 screeners. We explored the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in our sample, iteratively analyzed participants' narratives regarding the mental health impact of the pandemic, and used their mental health screener status to contextualize these narratives. Results indicated that nearly all respondents viewed mental health as a major concern, and 34% (n ​= ​12) of respondents screened positive for major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Respondents connected their mental health concerns to experiences of financial precarity, fear of contracting COVID-19, social isolation, and the challenges of remote schooling. Additional themes emerged around problems accessing the mental health care system, the utility of pre-pandemic mental health services, and using healthy coping mechanisms to alleviate psychological problems. Respondents' narratives tended to focus on the mental health challenges facing their family members, particularly their children. Our findings suggest that mental health intervention models that engage with multiple family members, policies that support infrastructure for encouraging exercise and outdoor activity, and ensuring access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care for Latino communities may be important for protecting population mental health.

Public health research on physical activity and COVID-19: Progress and updated priorities

•Research produced during the pandemic showed pre-diagnosis physical activity was associated with substantially lower risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. •Pandemic restrictions on common places for physical activity were associated with decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. •There were few studies of interventions to increase physical activity during the pandemic, the role of physical activity in COVID-19 inequities, and built environment contributions to COVID-19 outcomes. •Emerging research priorities include physical activity and long COVID and physical activity as a vaccine adjuvant. •Except for recommendations from the World Health Organization, physical activity was widely ignored in public health guidance.

COVID-19 in the Community: Changes to Women's Mental Health, Financial Security, and Physical Activity

Introduction

This study describes changes in the mental health, financial security, and physical activity levels of women in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Data were collected from women aged 20-40 years receiving primary care at 2 health centers in North Carolina during 2020-2022. Surveys (N=127) evaluated changes in mental health, financial security, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes were analyzed both descriptively and for association with sociodemographic factors using logistic regression. A subset of participants (n=46) participated in semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were reviewed and evaluated for recurring themes by primary and secondary coders using a rapid-coding technique. Analysis was conducted in 2022.

Results

Women surveyed were 28.4% non-Hispanic White, 38.6% non-Hispanic Black, and 33.1% Hispanic/Latina. Compared with reports before the pandemic, participants reported increased frustration or boredom (69.1%), loneliness (51.6%), anxiety (64.3%), depression (52.4%), and changed sleep patterns (68.3%). Increased alcohol and other recreational substance use were associated with race and ethnicity (p<0.05) after adjustment for other sociodemographic factors. Participants reported difficulty in paying for basic expenses (44.0%). Financial difficulties during COVID-19 were associated with non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity, less education, and lower prepandemic household income. Data showed pandemic-associated reductions in mild (32.8%), moderate (39.5%), and strenuous (43.3%) exercise, with a correlation between increased depression and reduced mild exercise. Interviews identified themes including reduced activity while working remotely, lack of gym access, and reduced motivation for exercise.

Conclusions

This mixed-methods study is one of the first to evaluate the mental health, financial security, and physical activity challenges women aged between 20 and 40 years in the southern U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN REMOTE EMPLOYEES DURING COVID-19

ABSTRACT Introduction: During COVID-19, home office activity increased significantly for professionals, especially high-tech companies dominated by information production. Physical health problems attracted great attention from departments responsible for exercise prescriptions. Objective: Discuss the positive and negative effects of home exercise behavior on the health of people working from home, and propose countermeasures to prevent and improve physical health during the epidemic. Methods: Survey questionnaires and mathematical statistics were used to analyze the factors influencing home exercise behavior on the physical health of remote employees. Results: Mathematical statistics from the questionnaire showed that among all investigated factors, more than 90% showed that home exercise behavior positively impacted remote employees' physical health, and less than 10% showed that home exercise behavior did not correlate with physical health. Conclusion: Under the significance level of α= 0.05, it is believed that home exercise behavior can effectively improve physical health. Therefore, if the epidemic control policy cannot be changed, it is recommended to further promote home exercise. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Influence of social distancing on physical activity among the middle-aged to older population: Evidence from the nationally representative survey in China

Background

Group-based physical activity is an important positive factor assisting the middle-aged to older population to be regularly physically active, especially inside a society with a large population and highly sociable environment. However, when group-based physical activity is restricted during a public health crisis such as the infectious disease pandemic, the influence of social distancing on physical activity among this vulnerable group needs to be recognized.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the influence of social distancing on physical activity among the middle-aged to older Chinese population at the national level.

Methods

Data from a nationally representative social follow-up survey (China Family Panel Studies, CFPS) for 2018 and 2020 were used. Physical activity level in year 2018 was set as the baseline to be compared with that for each individual in 2020, when China implemented social distancing during the COVID-19. Chinese population with an age greater than 45 years were included, and three levels of physical activity were established. Logistic models were developed to identify sociodemographic characteristic that may be associated with a higher probability of worse PA behaviors during the social distancing.

Results

Over 46% respondents could be described as being Physically Inactivity during 2018 and this proportion increased to 67.2% in 2020. Respondents who live in the Northeast or rural regions, having a spouse, being employed, having a low level of education, and being of low-income level showed a higher decrease in physical activity compared to other groups. However, individuals living with chronic diseases emerge as being more likely to maintain positive habits with respect to physical activity in this context.

Conclusion

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the extent of physical activity among middle-aged to older Chinese residents. This is especially true in respect to middle-aged and elderly people who are at increased risk of chronic diseases. Given this, there is a clear need to consider effective modalities for physical activity in the context of social distancing based on home quarantine and city lockdown. Furthermore, specific health-related strategies need to be considered in relation to different regions and populations.

Exploration and Strategy Analysis of Mental Health Education for Students in Sports Majors in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

This study aims to explore new educational strategies suitable for the mental health education of college students. Big data and artificial intelligence (AI) are combined to evaluate the mental health education of college students in sports majors. First, the research status on the mental health education of college students is introduced. The internet of things (IoT) on mental health education, a structure based on big data and convolutional neural network (CNN), is constructed. Next, the survey design and questionnaire survey are carried out. Finally, the questionnaire data are analyzed and compared with the mental health status under traditional education. The results show that the CNN model has good accuracy and ability to distinguish symptoms, so it can be applied to the existing psychological work in colleges. In the symptom comparison survey, under the traditional education and big data network, the number of college students with mild mental health problems is found to be 158 (84.9%) and 170 (91.4%), respectively. It indicates that the number of college students with moderate mental health problems decreases significantly. In the comparative investigation of the severity of mental problems, the number of students with normal mental health, subhealth, and serious mental health problems under the background of traditional mental health education is 125 (67.2%), 56 (30.1%), and 5 (2.7%), respectively. The mental health status of college students under the influence of big data networks on mental health education is better than that of traditional mental health education. There are 140 students with normal mental health, a year-on-year increase of 16.7%. In the comparative survey of specific mental disorders, students with obsessive-compulsive symptoms under traditional mental health education account for 22.0% of the total sample, having the largest proportion. In the subhealth psychological group under the big data network on mental health education, the number of hostile students decreases by 7, which is the psychological factor with the most obvious improvement. Hence, the proposed path of mental health education is feasible.