Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students?
AimsThe benefits associated with being physical active on mental health is well-established, but little is known on how rapid changes in physical activity are associated with mental health. This study investigated the association between changes in physical activity and mental health among Danish un...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126240/full |
| _version_ | 1797845530818117632 |
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| author | Christina Bjørk Petersen Christina Krüger Julie Dalgaard Guldager Julie Dalgaard Guldager Maria Holst Algren Signe Smith Jervelund Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff |
| author_facet | Christina Bjørk Petersen Christina Krüger Julie Dalgaard Guldager Julie Dalgaard Guldager Maria Holst Algren Signe Smith Jervelund Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff |
| author_sort | Christina Bjørk Petersen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | AimsThe benefits associated with being physical active on mental health is well-established, but little is known on how rapid changes in physical activity are associated with mental health. This study investigated the association between changes in physical activity and mental health among Danish university students during the first COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsOnline survey data were collected among 2,280 university students at the University of Southern Denmark and University of Copenhagen in May–June 2020 as part the “COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study.” Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze associations between changes in physical activity and mental health (depression and stress scores) adjusted for potential socio-economic confounders.ResultsDuring the first COVID-19 lockdown, 40% decreased their moderate and 44% their vigorous physical activity, while 16% increased their moderate and 13% their vigorous physical activity. Overall, students with a stable physical activity level had the lowest mean depressive and stress scores. Adjusted analyses showed that a decrease in vigorous and moderate physical activity level was significantly associated with a higher depression score (mean difference (vigorous): 1.36, p < 0.001 and mean difference (moderate): 1.55, p < 0.001). A decrease in vigorous physical activity and an increase in moderate physical activity was associated with a 1-point increase in the PSS-4 stress score (p < 0.001).ConclusionA substantial proportion of students changed their physical activity level during lockdown. Our findings emphasize the importance of staying physically active during COVID-19 lockdown. This knowledge might be important for relevant health authorities to bridle post-pandemic mental health challenges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:40:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-49b553eff83442e9bc645b03ef2d31f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:40:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-49b553eff83442e9bc645b03ef2d31f42023-04-17T05:51:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-04-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.11262401126240Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students?Christina Bjørk Petersen0Christina Krüger1Julie Dalgaard Guldager2Julie Dalgaard Guldager3Maria Holst Algren4Signe Smith Jervelund5Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff6National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkUnit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, DenmarkUnit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, DenmarkDepartment of Physiotherapy, University College South Denmark, Esbjerg, DenmarkNational Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, DenmarkSection for Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkUnit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, DenmarkAimsThe benefits associated with being physical active on mental health is well-established, but little is known on how rapid changes in physical activity are associated with mental health. This study investigated the association between changes in physical activity and mental health among Danish university students during the first COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsOnline survey data were collected among 2,280 university students at the University of Southern Denmark and University of Copenhagen in May–June 2020 as part the “COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study.” Multiple linear regressions were used to analyze associations between changes in physical activity and mental health (depression and stress scores) adjusted for potential socio-economic confounders.ResultsDuring the first COVID-19 lockdown, 40% decreased their moderate and 44% their vigorous physical activity, while 16% increased their moderate and 13% their vigorous physical activity. Overall, students with a stable physical activity level had the lowest mean depressive and stress scores. Adjusted analyses showed that a decrease in vigorous and moderate physical activity level was significantly associated with a higher depression score (mean difference (vigorous): 1.36, p < 0.001 and mean difference (moderate): 1.55, p < 0.001). A decrease in vigorous physical activity and an increase in moderate physical activity was associated with a 1-point increase in the PSS-4 stress score (p < 0.001).ConclusionA substantial proportion of students changed their physical activity level during lockdown. Our findings emphasize the importance of staying physically active during COVID-19 lockdown. This knowledge might be important for relevant health authorities to bridle post-pandemic mental health challenges.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126240/fullmental healthphysical activitycross sectionalCOVID-19public healthstudents |
| spellingShingle | Christina Bjørk Petersen Christina Krüger Julie Dalgaard Guldager Julie Dalgaard Guldager Maria Holst Algren Signe Smith Jervelund Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? Frontiers in Public Health mental health physical activity cross sectional COVID-19 public health students |
| title | Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? |
| title_full | Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? |
| title_fullStr | Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? |
| title_short | Are changes in physical activity during COVID-19 associated with mental health among Danish university students? |
| title_sort | are changes in physical activity during covid 19 associated with mental health among danish university students |
| topic | mental health physical activity cross sectional COVID-19 public health students |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126240/full |
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