- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi
- Vol: 10 Issue: 2
- Physical Inactivity in the COVID-19 Period: Determinants and Possible Relationship with Adverse Psyc...
Physical Inactivity in the COVID-19 Period: Determinants and Possible Relationship with Adverse Psychological Effects
Authors : Caner Kararti, Fatih Özyurt, Ismail Özsoy
Pages : 469-483
Doi:10.21020/husbfd.1088705
View : 32 | Download : 31
Publication Date : 2023-08-31
Article Type : Research Article
Abstract :Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to look into the possible factors associated with physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Secondly, it seeks to investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) levels on self-reported psychological outcomes following the curfews. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic. A total of 105 healthy participants, aged between 18-65 years, were recruited. For the purposes of characterisation, clinical and demographic data were collected. The participants were divided into three groups based on their total International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores in pre- and post-pandemic periods: Group 1: high PA (≥3000 MET min/week), Group 2: moderate PA (600≤MET<3000 min/week), and Group 3: low PA (<600 MET min/week). To evaluate the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the participants, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used. While clinical and demographic data were used as variables to determine possible factors associated with PA during the COVID-19 period, the change of IPAQ and DASS-21 scores over time was taken as a criterion in the relationship between PA levels and psychological problems. Results: ANCOVA revealed a significant group*period interaction effect regarding depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the participants showed significant differences between the two periods [(p<.001; η2p=.175); (p=.033; η2p=.064); (p=<.001; η2p=.132), respectively]. The results demonstrated a clear association between low PA and deterioration of emotional status in terms of both periods. In bivariate analysis, female sex, higher average hours of sleep (≥9.2 hours), being smoker, higher levels of depression (≥7.3), anxiety (≥4.9), and stress (≥9.2) were associated with a low PA during the pandemic (p=<.001-.049). Conclusion: A clear association between reduced PA and impaired emotional state was found in this study. It seems necessary to address these factors and increase awareness of individuals.Keywords : Anksiyete, COVID-19, depresyon, fiziksel inaktivite, stres