The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Levels of Physical Activity: A Systematic Review Publisher Pubmed



Mehraeen E¹ ; Karimi A² ; Mirghaderi P² ; Mirzapour P³ ; Pashaei Z³ ; Qaderi K⁴ ; Afsahi AM⁵ ; Barzegary A⁶ ; Mohammadi P² ; Shojaei A³ ; Saeidi S⁷ ; Afroughi F⁸ ; Mohssenipour M³ ; Janfaza N⁹ Show All Authors
Source: Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Published:2023

Abstract

Introduction: Earlier studies demonstrated a decreased level of physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the relevant studies among various age groups and explore the impact on physical and mental health. Methods: We searched and retrieved all relevant articles using the keywords on the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane from the start of the pandemic until May 3rd, 2021. A two-phase screening process of identified records was carried out to shortlist the most relevant studies. First, the studies were evaluated based on their title/abstract, and then the full-text of included studies was thor-oughly read. The eligible studies based on the eligibility criteria were included in this review. Results: A total of 57 studies were included based on the eligibility criteria. Lockdowns and infection with SARS-CoV-2 have led to a decreased level of PA in the general population compared to the pre-pandemic era. Men had significantly less PA compared to women in some studies, probably due to higher pre-pandemic PA. The level of PA among those with chronic diseases also significantly dimin-ished, putting them at a higher risk of cardiovascular incidents. Sedentary lifestyles have dominated people’s life, including adolescents and university students. The increased levels of mental health is-sues, such as depression, anxiety, and occupational stress, have been suggested to contribute to the decreased PA. On the other hand, the decreased PA appeared to lead to more mental health issues. Fortunately, the decreasing trend of PA seemed to taper towards the end of the quarantines. Conclusion: Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantines reduced PA among all age groups and both sexes and had detrimental effects on people's physical and mental health. We suggest countries implement strategies to alleviate restrictions and encourage people to exercise in safe envi-ronments and prepare healthy routines for themselves. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.