Effects of physical activity and exercise on well-being in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic

Factors influencing the quality of life and mental health of Brazilian Federal Education Network Employees: An epidemiological cross-sectional study

Understanding the aspects of quality of life (QoL) and mental health can offer valuable insights into the well-being of educational employees. Therefore, this study assessed the factors influencing the QoL and mental health of Brazilian Federal Network Employees. This cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 2022, with 1563 participants. We used the WHOQOL-bref, DASS-21, BackPEI, PeNSE, and a self-developed sociodemographic questionnaire. The results showed that female participants had poorer mental health, showing higher symptoms of depression (p = 0.010) and anxiety and stress (p < 0.001), and lower QoL in the physical and psychological domains (p < 0.001) compared with male participants. The older age group (>53 years) indicated higher QoL in the psychological (p < 0.001) and environmental (p < 0.015) domains, with differences in mental health-related symptoms (p < 0.001), compared with the younger age group. Higher levels of education were related to higher QoL in the psychological and environmental domains (p < 0.001). The consumption of ultra-processed foods, sodas, and sweets was negatively associated with mental health (p < 0.001), as was the consumption of fried snacks, which indicated higher symptoms of depression (p = 0.002), anxiety (p = 0.006), and stress (p < 0.001). Conversely, the consumption of healthy foods (vegetables and fruits) was related to better QoL in all domains (p < 0.001). Regarding alcoholic beverages, the results showed symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.003) and stress (p < 0.001) in employees who consumed these for more than 3 days in a month. Furthermore, regular physical activity was related to fewer symptoms related to mental health and higher QoL (p < 0.001). Conversely, spending 5 h or more using a computer indicated lower QoL in the psychological (p = 0.002) and environmental (p < 0.001) domains. The current findings emphasize the need for intervention measures for Brazilian education employees to promote physical activity, healthy food consumption, reduced screen time, and awareness of the harm of risky behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol, to enhance their QoL and mental health.

The associations of positive and negative mental well-being with physical activity during the COVID-19 across late adulthood

BACKGROUND

Mental well-being (MWB) may play an important role in physical activity (PA) behavior, but the independent associations of affective MWB indicators and depressive symptoms with PA are sparsely investigated in late adulthood. We investigated the associations of positive affect, negative affect, and depressive symptoms with PA during the COVID-19 restrictions across late adulthood.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data came from two Finnish population-based studies. The younger cohort (N = 162, 56% women, 60-61 years) was drawn from the TRAILS study, and the older (N = 272, 60% women, 72-88 years) from the PASSWORD study. Data on PA frequency (1-7; from "not at all" to "approximately daily") and perceived changes in PA (no change/increased/reduced) during COVID-19 restrictions were self-reported. MWB was assessed by positive and negative affect (International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form) and depressive symptoms (younger cohort: General Behavioral Inventory; older cohort: Geriatric Depression Scale). Associations between MWB and PA were analyzed using linear and multinominal logistic regression models.

RESULTS

When each MWB indicator was investigated separately, higher positive affect was associated with higher PA frequency in both cohorts and with a higher likelihood of increased PA in the younger cohort; higher negative affect was associated with a higher likelihood of reduced PA in the older cohort; higher depressive symptoms were associated with lower PA frequency in both cohorts and with a higher likelihood of reduced PA in the older cohort (p ≤ 0.009 for all), In the final models including all three MWB indicators, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates, only the association between higher positive affect and higher odds of increased PA remained significant in the younger cohort (OR = 4.28, p = 0.006). In the older cohort, only the associations of higher depressive symptoms with lower PA frequency (β=-0.097, p = 0.024) and higher odds of reduced PA (OR = 1.26, p = 0.010) remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive affect was independently associated with increased PA during the COVID-19 restrictions in sixty-year-olds. Higher depressive symptoms were independently associated with lower PA frequency and a higher likelihood of reduced PA in 72-88-year-olds. Positive and negative aspects of MWB have different relations to PA among people aged 60 and 70 + when one's daily routines are restricted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN52388040 (the PASSWORD study).

Demystifying roles of exercise in immune response regulation against acute respiratory infections: A narrative review

The benefits of physical activity and exercise, especially those classified as moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA), have been well-established in preventing non-communicable diseases and mental health problems in healthy adults. However, the relationship between physical activity and exercise and the prevention and management of acute respiratory infection (ARI), a global high-burden disease, has been inconclusive. There have been debates and disagreements among scientific publications regarding the relationship between exercise and immune response against the causative agents of ARI. This narrative review aims to explore the theory that sufficiently explains the correlation between exercise, immune response, and ARI. The potential root causes of discrepancies come from research associated with the "open window" hypothesis. The studies have several limitations, and future improvements to address them are urgently needed in the study design, data collection, exercise intervention, subject recruitment, biomarkers for infection and inflammation, nutritional and metabolism status, and in addressing confounding variables. In conclusion, data support the clinical advantages of exercise have a regulatory contribution toward improving the immune response, which in turn potentially protects humans fromARI. However, the hypothesis related to its negative effect must be adopted cautiously.

Promoting Physical Activity and Health in the Workplace: A Qualitative Study among University Workers, Spain

The social changes we have been experiencing in recent years are generating anxiety that, together with sedentary lifestyles and poor health habits, are leading to premature ageing of society, in addition to the high rates of obesity and associated morbidity. In order to improve the lifestyles of the university community, the objective of this research project was the implementation of the UAL Activa programme based on physical activity. The beneficiaries were UAL staff from different sections, a total of 68 participants aged between 28 and 61 years (Mage = 49.36). Additionally, a total of 12 final year students of the degree in physical activity and sport sciences were responsible for designing and developing the exercise tasks. In-depth interviews were held with the participants of this project about the different benefits that their participation had brought them. The results obtained from the analysis with Nvivo v.10. showed five thematic blocks on the perceived improvements in physical fitness, physical condition, mood and emotional state, assessment of the new lifestyle, and social relations. In conclusion, the benefits of physical activity and the need to continue implementing action and intervention plans to encourage and promote its practice in all sectors of the population were highlighted.

Age and sex differences in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and coping mechanisms in Latin American youth

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on mental health. Understanding sex and age differences in the perception of stressors, the use of coping strategies, and the prevalence of depression and anxiety can lead to detecting at-risk groups.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online study surveyed perceived stressors, coping strategies, and the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 rating scales for symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study was open from Spring 2020 to Spring 2021 and was aimed at children, adolescents and young adults of Latin America.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 3965 participants (63.8% females). The sample was divided into children (N = 621, 15.7%), adolescents (N = 1123, 28.3%) and young adults (N = 2021, 56%). Moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety were found in 43.53% and 27%, respectively, being more frequent in females. Children of both sexes showed the lowest scores in rating scales. Adult females reported a higher level of stress in regards to pandemic news, having someone close diagnosed with COVID-19,the possibility of getting sick, academic delays, economic impact, and depression, while female adolescents reported a higher level of stress regarding the lockdown, losing contact with peers and anxiety. In juxtaposition, females also reported a higher frequency of positive coping strategies. A multivariate analysis confirmed the association of several variables with the presence of depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of depression and anxiety was found among young people. Specific intervention programs must be created taking into account age and sex differences.

Individual differences in dissonance arousal/reduction relate to physical exercise: Testing the action-based model

INTRODUCTION

The present research was designed to test predictions derived from the action-based model of cognitive dissonance theory. These predictions were that dissonance arousal would be negatively related to effective behavior, and that dissonance reduction would be positively related to effective behavior.

METHOD

Dissonance arousal and reduction were measured using an individual differences questionnaire. Effective behavior was measured as amount of physical exercise obtained from an exercise app that measures exercise using GPS (cycling kilometers over one year; Study 1) and from self-reports (number of days during the previous week; Study 2-3).

RESULTS

Results suggested that individual differences in dissonance arousal relate to less exercise and that individual differences in dissonance reduction relate to more exercise. Statistically controlling for trait approach and avoidance motivation as well as satisfaction with life revealed that dissonance processes predicted exercise behavior over these traits. This pattern of results was generally consistent across the three studies. Moreover, results from Studies 2-3 suggested possible statistical mediators from the exercise commitment literature of the relationship between trait dissonance arousal/reduction and exercise behavior.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

These results highlight the importance of considering dissonance processes as adaptive ones, and they suggest possible ways of increasing exercise behavior.

Effect of a Park-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Psychological Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19

Practicing regular physical activity in green spaces has been invocated as a promising strategy for improving wellbeing in urban settings. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a structured park-based physical activity intervention, the “Moving Parks” project, on citizens’ wellbeing at the time of COVID-19. The intervention was carried out in six public parks in Bologna (Italy) and administered by qualified instructors (from May 2021 to September 2021). The Psychological General Well Being Index short form questionnaire was administered before and after the three months of outdoor activities. A total of 328 participants completed the questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the project. In September 2021, all psychosocial domains of the questionnaire (anxiety, depressed mood, self-control, positive well-being, vitality energy, and vitality-tiredness) significantly improved in the female sample (p value < 0.01) and only the last two in the male sample (p value < 0.05). The “Moving Parks” project seems to be able to improve citizens’ psychological wellbeing, particularly in women.

A Gap between Relaxation of Government Quarantine Policy and Perceptions of COVID-19 among the General Public in Sports: Focusing on Vaccination Status

Although an increasing number of people are getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and quarantine policies are easing owing to fatigue from high-intensity social distancing, people’s fear remains. This study attempted to determine the appropriateness of quarantine policies that are gradually easing by comparing and analyzing sports participation and respiratory infection perception recognized by sports participants according to vaccination status. Data were collected from 302 ordinary Korean citizens aged 20 or older for three months from November 2021 in the Republic of Korea. From the survey respondents, data on the main factors of this study included (a) demographic information, (b) vaccination, (c) loyalty in sports, (d) behavioral intention to participate in sports, (e) infection anxiety from others, and (f) risk perception of COVID-19. As a result, the survey respondents, subdivided into an unvaccinated group (Group 1) and a vaccinated group (Group 2), derived statistically significant results on sports participation and respiratory infection perception. Specifically, survey participants who had completed all secondary vaccinations showed a relatively higher (a) loyalty in sport (M = 3.789), (b) behavioral intention for participation in sport (M = 4.056), and (c) infection anxiety from others (M = 3.548), but showed a relatively lower (a) risk perception of COVID-19 (sensitivity) (M = 3.494). The results of this study could be utilized as valuable data to minimize the gap between the relaxation of government quarantine policy and perceptions of COVID-19 among the general public in sports, which have not yet been clarified.