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Direct and Stress-Buffering Effects of COVID-19-Related Changes in Exercise Activity on the Well-Being of German Sport Students

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Giessing

    (Institute of Sports and Sports Sciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Julia Kannen

    (Institute of Sports and Sports Sciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Jana Strahler

    (Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, 35394 Gießen, Germany
    These authors share senior authorship.)

  • Marie Ottilie Frenkel

    (Institute of Sports and Sports Sciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
    These authors share senior authorship.)

Abstract

Maintaining or initiating exercise activity in the COVID-19 pandemic may act as a buffer against the observed stress-related deterioration in well-being, with emotion regulation (ER) discussed as a possible moderator. Therefore, the present study investigated the interaction between stress, exercise activity (EA), and ER on mood. In an online survey, 366 German sports science students (56% women, M age = 23.04, SD = 2.87) reported their stress levels (general and COVID-19-specific), mood (energy, valence, calmness), EA before and during the pandemic, and use of ER strategies in spring 2020. Pandemic-related change in EA was calculated as residual change. Due to gender differences in mental health and EA, the main and interaction effects were tested in twelve hierarchical regression analyses, separately for men and women. Overall, EA significantly decreased during the pandemic and was positively associated with energy in both men and women. ER was positively associated with women’s energy, but negatively with all three mood dimensions in men. Only one three-way interaction appeared significant: in the case of high stress, low levels of EA and high use of ER were associated with the greatest deteriorations in energy in men. Our findings suggest that EA may buffer deteriorations in energy in men with high stress and difficulties in ER.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Giessing & Julia Kannen & Jana Strahler & Marie Ottilie Frenkel, 2021. "Direct and Stress-Buffering Effects of COVID-19-Related Changes in Exercise Activity on the Well-Being of German Sport Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7117-:d:587768
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    References listed on IDEAS

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