A cross-sectional study of physical activity behaviour and associations with wellbeing during the UK coronavirus lockdown

J Health Psychol. 2022 May;27(6):1432-1444. doi: 10.1177/1359105321999710. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Abstract

This study assessed physical activity (PA) and wellbeing during lockdown. UK adults reported their PA in the previous week, perception of PA importance (more, less, same) and wellbeing, depression, anxiety and stress. One-way ANOVA compared PA and wellbeing by PA importance. The 'less' importance group did less PA than the 'more' and 'same' (p < 0.05) importance group; and scored worse on all wellbeing measures than the 'same' importance group (p < 0.01). They also had worse wellbeing, depression and anxiety than the 'more' importance group (p < 0.05). Strategies to overcome the impact of the pandemic should aim to increase PA.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; exercise behaviour; physical activity; stress; well-being.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology