In the follow-up survey, we asked participants to self-report the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) they had in the past two week. We wondered if the amount of exercise people are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with several mental health indicators.
We found a negative association between MVPA and depression – individuals who reported less MVPA had higher depression scores than those who reported more MVPA. Women were, on average, more depressed than men.
There was a negative association between MVPA and perceived stress – individuals who reported less MVPA had higher levels of stress than those who reported more MVPA. Women were, on average, more stressed than men.
We also found a negative association between MVPA and anxiety – individuals who reported less MVPA were more anxious than those who reported more MVPA. Women were, on average, more anxious than men. We also noted that the relation between MVPA and anxiety differs by gender – the negative association between MVPA and anxiety was stronger for men than for women.
These findings suggested that reduced physical activity may be associated with depressive, stressed, and anxious feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic.