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Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Physical Fitness Association with Mental Health among Higher Education Students: A Multi-Group Analysis Model

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  • Ibrahim A. Elshaer

    (Management Department, College of Business Administration, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt)

  • Mohamed A. Zayed

    (Deanship of Student Affairs, King Faisal University, Al-Hassa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Fitness, Gymnastics and Sports Show, Faculty of Physical Education Alexandria University, Alexandria 21625, Egypt)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), created a significant problem people’s health around the world. The mental and physical health of entire populations has been negatively impacted due to the introduction of several restriction methods. Maintaining a specific physical activity and fitness level is crucial given the pandemic situation. The connection between physical fitness and mental health has recently received growing attention. In contrast to the message from physiological research, which lauds the general benefits of fitness for physical health, the corresponding psychological literature reveals a more complex relationship. This paper outlines the research evidence, focusing on the relationship between physical fitness and depression, anxiety, and stress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were obtained from 390 higher education students (measuring their perception before and during the pandemic). They were analyzed by a structural equation modeling multi-group analysis to detect the variance in the test relationship before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretical and empirical implications are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ibrahim A. Elshaer & Mohamed A. Zayed, 2022. "Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Physical Fitness Association with Mental Health among Higher Education Students: A Multi-Group Analysis Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:15393-:d:979353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jacob Meyer & Cillian McDowell & Jeni Lansing & Cassandra Brower & Lee Smith & Mark Tully & Matthew Herring, 2020. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Mohamed A. Zayed & Ibrahim A. Elshaer, 2022. "Physical Activities and Learning Experience of Higher Education Students: Mediating Role of Quality of Life and Physical Self-Esteem," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Aucejo, Esteban M. & French, Jacob & Ugalde Araya, Maria Paola & Zafar, Basit, 2020. "The impact of COVID-19 on student experiences and expectations: Evidence from a survey," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    4. Sam Hernández-Jaña & Danica Escobar-Gómez & Carlos Cristi-Montero & José Castro-Piñero & Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez, 2022. "Changes in Active Behaviours, Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Physical Fitness in Chilean Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, February.
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