Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

James Faulkner; Wendy J. O’brien; Bronagh Mcgrane; Daniel Wadsworth; John Batten; Christopher D. Askew; Claire Badenhorst; Erin Byrd; Maura Coulter; Nick Draper; Catherine Elliot; Simon Fryer; Michael J. Hamlin; John Jakeman; Kelly A. Mackintosh; Melitta A. Mcnarry; Andrew Mitchelmore; John Murphy; Helen Ryan-stewart; Zoe Saynor; Mia Schaumberg; Keeron Stone; Lee Stoner; Beth Stuart; Danielle Lambrick

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

James Faulkner, Wendy J. O’brien, Bronagh Mcgrane, Daniel Wadsworth, John Batten, Christopher D. Askew, Claire Badenhorst, Erin Byrd, Maura Coulter, Nick Draper, Catherine Elliot, Simon Fryer, Michael J. Hamlin, John Jakeman, Kelly A. Mackintosh, Melitta A. Mcnarry, Andrew Mitchelmore, John Murphy, Helen Ryan-stewart, Zoe SaynorMia Schaumberg, Keeron Stone, Lee Stoner, Beth Stuart, Danielle Lambrick

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

178 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives
To assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments’ Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.

Design
Observational, cross-sectional.

Methods
An online survey was disseminated to adults (n = 8,425; 44.5 ± 14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.

Results
Participants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p < 0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p < 0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
The initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	320-326
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Volume	24
Issue number	4
Early online date	3 Dec 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 1 Apr 2021

Keywords

Coronavirus disease
pandemic
lifestyle behavior changeexercise
depression
sedentary time

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

Cite this

Faulkner, J., O’brien, W. J., Mcgrane, B., Wadsworth, D., Batten, J., Askew, C. D., Badenhorst, C., Byrd, E., Coulter, M., Draper, N., Elliot, C., Fryer, S., Hamlin, M. J., Jakeman, J., Mackintosh, K. A., Mcnarry, M. A., Mitchelmore, A., Murphy, J., Ryan-stewart, H., ... Lambrick, D. (2021). Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24(4), 320-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

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title = "Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis",

abstract = "ObjectivesTo assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments{\textquoteright} Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.DesignObservational, cross-sectional.MethodsAn online survey was disseminated to adults (n = 8,425; 44.5 ± 14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.ResultsParticipants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p < 0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p < 0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.",

keywords = "Coronavirus disease, pandemic, lifestyle behavior changeexercise, depression, sedentary time",

author = "James Faulkner and O{\textquoteright}brien, {Wendy J.} and Bronagh Mcgrane and Daniel Wadsworth and John Batten and Askew, {Christopher D.} and Claire Badenhorst and Erin Byrd and Maura Coulter and Nick Draper and Catherine Elliot and Simon Fryer and Hamlin, {Michael J.} and John Jakeman and Mackintosh, {Kelly A.} and Mcnarry, {Melitta A.} and Andrew Mitchelmore and John Murphy and Helen Ryan-stewart and Zoe Saynor and Mia Schaumberg and Keeron Stone and Lee Stoner and Beth Stuart and Danielle Lambrick",

year = "2021",

month = apr,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016",

language = "English",

volume = "24",

pages = "320--326",

journal = "Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport",

issn = "1440-2440",

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number = "4",

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Faulkner, J, O’brien, WJ, Mcgrane, B, Wadsworth, D, Batten, J, Askew, CD, Badenhorst, C, Byrd, E, Coulter, M, Draper, N, Elliot, C, Fryer, S, Hamlin, MJ, Jakeman, J, Mackintosh, KA, Mcnarry, MA, Mitchelmore, A, Murphy, J, Ryan-stewart, H, Saynor, Z, Schaumberg, M, Stone, K, Stoner, L, Stuart, B & Lambrick, D 2021, 'Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis', Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 320-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

TY - JOUR

T1 - Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

AU - Faulkner, James

AU - O’brien, Wendy J.

AU - Mcgrane, Bronagh

AU - Wadsworth, Daniel

AU - Batten, John

AU - Askew, Christopher D.

AU - Badenhorst, Claire

AU - Byrd, Erin

AU - Coulter, Maura

AU - Draper, Nick

AU - Elliot, Catherine

AU - Fryer, Simon

AU - Hamlin, Michael J.

AU - Jakeman, John

AU - Mackintosh, Kelly A.

AU - Mcnarry, Melitta A.

AU - Mitchelmore, Andrew

AU - Murphy, John

AU - Ryan-stewart, Helen

AU - Saynor, Zoe

AU - Schaumberg, Mia

AU - Stone, Keeron

AU - Stoner, Lee

AU - Stuart, Beth

AU - Lambrick, Danielle

PY - 2021/4/1

Y1 - 2021/4/1

N2 - ObjectivesTo assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments’ Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.DesignObservational, cross-sectional.MethodsAn online survey was disseminated to adults (n = 8,425; 44.5 ± 14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.ResultsParticipants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p < 0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p < 0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.

AB - ObjectivesTo assess physical activity (PA), mental health and well-being of adults in the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments’ Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment responses.DesignObservational, cross-sectional.MethodsAn online survey was disseminated to adults (n = 8,425; 44.5 ± 14.8y) residing in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia within the first 2-6 weeks of government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions. Main outcome measures included: Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change; International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form); World Health Organisation-5 Well-being Index; and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9.ResultsParticipants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID-19 restrictions to during the initial COVID-19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well-being compared to those demonstrating either a positive-or no change in their exercise behaviour (p < 0.001). Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour, young people (18-29y) reported more negative changes (both p < 0.001). Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001). Although there were no differences in PA between countries, individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well-being (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe initial COVID-19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex, and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations. Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups (e.g., men, young adults) who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and/or self-isolation.

KW - Coronavirus disease

KW - pandemic

KW - lifestyle behavior changeexercise

KW - depression

KW - sedentary time

UR - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1440244020308380

U2 - 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

DO - 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016

M3 - Article

C2 - 33341382

SN - 1440-2440

VL - 24

SP - 320

EP - 326

JO - Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

JF - Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

IS - 4

ER -

Physical activity, mental health and well-being of adults during initial COVID-19 containment strategies: A multi-country cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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