ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 min of moderate or vigorous activity (MVPA) per week for health benefits. However, meeting WHO guidelines for physical activity has been shown to be a great challenge for general populations and it may be even more difficult for undergraduate students due to elevated academic demand, thus negatively affecting general health status. Thus, this study investigated whether undergraduate students meeting WHO guidelines for physical activity show greater scores for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life than their counterparts not meeting guideline recommendations. Additionally, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life among academic areas were compared. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The participants were recruited through messaging apps or institutional e-mail. The participants filled out an online consent form, questionnaires to assess demographic and academic characteristics, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Beck depression and anxiety inventory, and the short-form 36-item health survey questionnaire. The participants were classified as physically active (MVPA > 150 min/week) or inactive (MVPA < 150 min/week) according to WHO Guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 371 individuals were included in the analysis. Physically inactive students demonstrated higher scores of depression (17.96 vs. 14.62; 95% CI: -5.81 to -0.86; p = 0.0083) than physically active ones. SF-36 analyses revealed that physically inactive students had lower values in mental (45.68 vs. 52.77; 95% CI: 2.10 to 12.06; p = 0.0054) and physical (59.37 vs. 67.14; 95% CI: 3.24 to 12.30; p = 0.0015) domains compared with physically active ones. As for SF-36 subscales, physically inactive students showed lower scores in function capacity (70.45 vs. 79.70; 95% CI: 4.27 to 14.49; p = 0.0003), mental health (45.57 vs. 55.60; 95% CI: 5.28 to 14.76; p < 0.0001), social aspects (48.91 vs. 57.69; 95%CI: 3.47 to 14.08; p = 0.0012), vitality (42.19 vs. 50.61; 95% CI: 3.47 to 13.35; p = 0.0009), pain (61.85 vs. 68.00; 95% CI: 1.27 to 11.02; p = 0.0135), and general health status (53.82 vs. 63.81; 95% CI: 5.21 to 14.75; p < 0.0001) than their physically active peers. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that undergraduate students who do not meet WHO guidelines for physical activity display higher scores of anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life in comparison with their counterparts meeting physical activity guidelines. Collectively, these data suggest the need for academic institutions and policy makers to monitor and promote in-campus interventions to encourage physical activity.
Subject(s)
Depression , Quality of Life , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Anxiety , StudentsABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: Decreased physical activity has been associated with poorer mental health and is a cause for concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To compare groups of medical students (MS) who practiced different levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression (BAI-BDI), sleep quality (PSQI), and physical activity (PA) - light, moderate, vigorous (LPA-MPA and VPA), and sedentary behavior (SB). Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study involving 218 MS. Data on the characteristics of the MS were collected through online forms: PA, SB, BAI, BDI, and PSQI. The Cohen's D (Effect Size - ES) and confidence interval (95% CI), Mann-Whitney test: Lower MVPA (Median=0 minute) and Higher MVPA (Median=390 minutes) were recorded. For the statistical analyses, we used: the Odds ratio (OR) for the presence of symptoms of high levels of anxiety and depression and poor sleep quality in the MS and MVPA. Results: We found a small ES for symptoms of depression (ES 0.26 95% CI 0.00 0.53 p=0.029), and significant differences (p<0.05) for symptoms of anxiety (ES 0.17 95% CI −0.09 0.44 p=0.037). There was also a significant tendency for sedentary behavior on weekdays (ES 0.27 95% CI 0.00 0.53 p = 0.051). The OR for MVPA and the presence of symptoms of high levels of anxiety was 0.407 (95% CI = 0.228 to 0.724). Conclusions: the MS who practiced higher MVPA presented less symptoms of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Level of evidence III; Case-control study.
RESUMEN Introducción: La disminución de la actividad física se ha asociado con un empeoramiento de la salud mental y es motivo de preocupación durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Objetivo: Comparar grupos de estudiantes de medicina (EM) con diferentes momentos de actividad física moderada y vigorosa (AFMV) durante la pandemia COVID-19, en relación a los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión (BAI-BDI), calidad de sueño (PSQI) y actividad física (AF) - comportamiento leve, moderado, vigoroso (LPA-MPA y VPA) y sedentario (SB). Métodos: Esta encuesta transversal evaluó 218 EM. Los datos se recogieron mediante formularios online sobre las características del grupo PA, SB, BAI, BDI y PSQI. D de Cohen (ES) y el intervalo de confianza (IC del 95%), prueba de Mann-Whitney: AFMV baja (mediana = 0 minutos) y AFMV (mediana = 390 minutos); En el análisis estadístico se utilizó la razón de probabilidades (OR) para la presencia de síntomas de ansiedad alta y síntomas depresivos, la mala calidad del sueño de la EM y la MVPA. Resultados: Una pequeña EE para síntomas de depresión (ES 0.26 IC 95% 0.00 0.53 p = 0.029) y diferencias significativas (p <0.05) para síntomas de ansiedad (ES 0.17 IC 95% −0, 09 0.44 p = 0.037). Se verificó tendencia de significancia para el día de la semana SB (ES 0.27 IC 95% 0.00 0.53 p = 0.051). Se verificó la OR para AFMV y la presencia de síntomas de alta ansiedad de 0,407 (IC del 95% = 0,228 a 0,724). Conclusiones: La EM con un AFMV más alto tiene menos síntomas de ansiedad y síntomas de depresión durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudio de casos y controles.
RESUMO Introdução: A diminuição da atividade física tem sido associada à piora da saúde mental e é motivo de preocupação durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Objetivo: Comparar grupos de estudantes de medicina (EM) que praticam diferentes níveis de atividade física moderada e vigorosa (AFMV) durante a pandemia de COVID-19, com relação aos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão (BAI-BDI), qualidade do sono (PSQI), e atividade física (AF) - leve, moderada, vigorosa (AFL, AFM, AFV) e comportamento sedentário (CS). Métodos: Esta pesquisa com desenho transversal avaliou 218 EM. Os dados das características dos EM foram coletados por meio de formulários on-line: AF, CS, BAI, BDI e PSQI. Para as análises estatísticas, utilizou-se odds ratio (OR) para a presença de sintomas elevados de ansiedade e depressão e má qualidade do sono de EM e AFMV. O D de Cohen (tamanho do efeito, TE) e o intervalo de confiança (IC de 95%), teste de Mann-Whitney: baixa MVPA (mediana = 0 minuto) e alta MVPA (Mediana = 390 minutos) foram registrados. Resultados: Encontramos um pequeno TE para sintomas de depressão (TE 0,26; IC de 95%; 0,00-0,53; p = 0,029) e diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) para sintomas de ansiedade (TE 0,17; IC de 95%; 0,09-0,44; p = 0,037). Também houve tendência de significância para o comportamento sedentário nos dias de semana (TE 0,27; IC de 95%; 0,00-0,53; p = 0,051). A OR para MVPA e a presença de sintomas de ansiedade elevada foi de 0,407 (IC de 95% = 0,228-0,724). Conclusões: Os EM que praticavam maior MVPA apresentaram menos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Nível de evidência III; Estudo de caso-controle.
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to compare the time in physical activity (PA) [light (LPA), moderate and vigorous (MVPA)] and sedentary behavior (SB) (weekdays, weekends, or both) between Medical (MED) and Physical Education (PE) students who underwent remote classes imposed by the COVID-19. In addition, we compared symptoms of depression and anxiety and sleep quality. Methods: A cross-sectional study (272 MED and 95 PE students). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Beck Inventory (Anxiety, Depression), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality were used to assess PA and SB, anxiety and depression symptoms, and quality of sleep, respectively. The data are presented as median and interquartile intervals 25-75. Results: We observed statistically significant differences between MED and PE students for MVPA [MED: 165 min per week (0-360) vs. PE: 420 min per week (180-670), p < 0.001], SB Total [MED: 10 h per day (8-12) vs. PE: 7 h per day (5-10), p < 0.001)], and anxiety symptoms [MED: 13 points (5-23) vs. PE: six points (2-16), p < 0.001)]. Conclusion: Together, our findings indicate that MED students spent less time in MVPA and more time in SB than PE students. MED students also presented worse mental health in the pandemic situation imposed by the COVID-19.
