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Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults within and during the Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions, in the United Kingdom and New Zealand

Author

Listed:
  • James Faulkner

    (School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Wendy J. O’Brien

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand)

  • Beth Stuart

    (Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK)

  • Lee Stoner

    (Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA)

  • John Batten

    (School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Daniel Wadsworth

    (School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4558, Australia
    Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland 4575, Australia)

  • Christopher D. Askew

    (Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland 4575, Australia
    School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4558, Australia)

  • Claire E. Badenhorst

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand)

  • Erin Byrd

    (Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

  • Nick Draper

    (Faculty of Health, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 4800, New Zealand)

  • Catherine Elliot

    (Department of Tourism, Sport and Society, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Simon Fryer

    (School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester GL2 9HW, UK)

  • Michael J. Hamlin

    (Department of Tourism, Sport and Society, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • John R. Jakeman

    (Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

  • Kelly A. Mackintosh

    (Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK)

  • Melitta A. McNarry

    (Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK)

  • Andrew Mitchelmore

    (Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

  • Helen Ryan-Stewart

    (School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Zoe Saynor

    (Physical Activity, Health and Rehabilitation Thematic Research Group, School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UK)

  • Mia A. Schaumberg

    (Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland 4575, Australia
    School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4558, Australia
    School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4067, Australia)

  • Emily Spiegelhalter

    (School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Keeron Stone

    (School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester GL2 9HW, UK)

  • Danielle Lambrick

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK)

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) participation was substantially reduced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between PA, mental health, and wellbeing during and following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand (NZ). In this study, 3363 adults completed online surveys within 2–6 weeks of initial COVID-19 restrictions (April/May 2020) and once restrictions to human movement had been eased. Outcome measures included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-9 (mental health) and World Health Organisation-5 Wellbeing Index. There were no differences in PA, mental health or wellbeing between timepoints ( p > 0.05). Individuals engaging in moderate or high volume of PA had significantly better mental health (−1.1 and −1.7 units, respectively) and wellbeing (11.4 and 18.6 units, respectively) than individuals who engaged in low PA ( p < 0.001). Mental health was better once COVID-19 restrictions were eased ( p < 0.001). NZ had better mental health and wellbeing than the UK ( p < 0.001). Participation in moderate-to-high volumes of PA was associated with better mental health and wellbeing, both during and following periods of COVID-19 containment, compared to participation in low volumes of PA. Where applicable, during the current or future pandemic(s), moderate-to-high volumes of PA should be encouraged.

Suggested Citation

  • James Faulkner & Wendy J. O’Brien & Beth Stuart & Lee Stoner & John Batten & Daniel Wadsworth & Christopher D. Askew & Claire E. Badenhorst & Erin Byrd & Nick Draper & Catherine Elliot & Simon Fryer &, 2022. "Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults within and during the Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions, in the United Kingdom and New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1792-:d:742422
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    2. 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.
    3. Rebecca M. Meiring & Silmara Gusso & Eloise McCullough & Lynley Bradnam, 2021. "The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic Movement Restrictions on Self-Reported Physical Activity and Health in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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