Can physical activity protect against depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Wolf, Sebastian; Zeibig, Johannes; Seiffer, Britta; Welkerling, Jana; Brokmeier, Luisa; Atrott, Beatrice; Ehring, Thomas und Barreto Schuch, Felipe (23. Dezember 2020): Can physical activity protect against depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic? A rapid systematic review. Research Square

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the entire world population. During the first spread, most governments have implemented quarantine and strict social distancing procedures. Similar measures during recent pandemics resulted in an increase in post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression symptoms. The development of novel interventions to mitigate the mental health burden are of outmost importance. In this rapid review, we aimed to provide a systematic overview of the literature with regard to associations between physical activity (PA) and depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Sportdiscus, Web of Science) and preprint servers (MedRxivs, SportRxiv, ResearchGate and Google scholar), for relevant papers up to 25/07/2020. We identified a total of 21 observational studies (4 longitudinal, one cross-sectional with retrospective analysis and 16 cross-sectional), including information of 42,293 (age range = 6-70 years, median female = 68%) participants from 5 continents. The early evidence suggests that people who performed PA on a regular basis with higher volume and frequency and kept the PA routines stable, showed less symptoms of depression and anxiety. For instance, those reporting a higher total time spent in moderate to vigorous PA had 12% to 32% lower chances of presenting depressive symptoms and 15% to 34% of presenting anxiety. In order to maintain PA routines during Covid-19, specific volitional and motivational skills might be paramount to overcome Covid-19 specific barriers. Particularly, web-based technologies could be an accessible way to increase motivation and volition for PA and maintain daily PA routines.

• Dokumententyp: Paper
• Fakultät: Psychologie und Pädagogik > Department Psychologie > Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie
• Themengebiete: 100 Philosophie und Psychologie > 150 Psychologie
• Sprache: Englisch