Embedding Physical Activity into Community-Based Peer Support Groups for those Severely Affected by Mental Illness.

Despite a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of community-based physical activity interventions for mental health, there is a lack of studies that focus on those affected by severe mental illness (SMI), who often experience poorer physical health, and are less physically active than the wider population. The use of peer support groups in this context is also understudied, despite benefits being documented in other contexts. This study examined the impact and process of a nationwide project to embed physical activity into peer support groups for those affected by SMI. Following the embedding of physical activity within peer support groups, interviews and focus groups were conducted to explore the experiences of those involved with the project and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The key findings related to: 1) the social aspects of embedding physical activity in the groups; 2) the focus on peer support and informal physical activity (rather than organised sport) being beneficial; 3) doing things differently and lessons to learn; and 4) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, we found that peer support is an important feature to include in projects encouraging those severely affected by mental illness to become more physically active.

Nine Months into the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study Showing Mental Health and Movement Behaviours Are Impaired in UK Students.

Initial studies indicated that student mental health was impaired during the early stages of the pandemic and that maintaining/improving physical activity gave some protection from mental illness. However, as the pandemic persists, these data may not reflect current circumstances and may have been confounded by exam stress. METHODS: This study used an online survey to assess the changes in, and associations between, mental health and movement behaviours in 255 UK university students from before the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2019) to 9 months following the UK's first confirmed case (October 2020). Changes in and associations between mental wellbeing, perceived stress, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour were assessed using a mixed model ANOVA; a multiple linear regression model determined the predictive value of variables associated with Δ mental wellbeing. RESULTS: Mental wellbeing and physical activity decreased (45.2 to 42.3 (p < 0.001); 223 to 173 min/week (p < 0.001)), whereas perceived stress and time spent sedentary increased (19.8 to 22.8 (p < 0.001); 66.0 to 71.2 h/week (p = 0.036)). Δ perceived stress, Δ sedentary behaviour and university year accounted for 64.7%, 12.9%, and 10.1% of the variance in Δ mental wellbeing (p < 0.001; p = 0.006; p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic is having a sustained negative impact on student mental health and movement behaviour.

Mental health and movement behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in UK university students: Prospective cohort study

Statement of problem The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to negatively impact the mental health of university students, yet there is lack of prospective longitudinal data quantifying such changes. The purpose of this study was to examine the mental health and movement behaviours, and the associations between the changes in mental health and movement behaviours, of UK university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods 214 students enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study (mean age = 20.0 years;males = 28.0%, females = 72.0%) at an East Midlands UK University. Participants completed a self-report, online survey twice before (14/10/2019;T1 and 28/01/2020;T2) and twice during the UK ‘lockdown’ (20/03/2020;T3 and 27/04/2020;T4). Mental wellbeing, perceived stress, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were assessed at each time point. Repeated measures ANCOVA was used to assess changes in variables over time, whilst Pearson's correlation analysis tested for associations. Results During the first 5 weeks of ‘lockdown’ mental wellbeing and physical activity decreased ((F (2.2, 465.0) = 6.6, P < .0010 and (F (2.7, 591.0) = 4.8, P < .010 respectively)). Meanwhile, perceived stress and time spent sedentary increased ((F (2.5, 536.2) = 94.0, P < .0050 and (F (2.7, 578.9) = 41.2, P < .0001 respectively)). A positive association was found between Δ perceived stress and Δ sedentary behaviour (r = .18, P < .010). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting the mental health and movement behaviour of UK university students, though no association between these constructs was identified.