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Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing during the First COVID-19 Containment in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Wendy J. O’Brien

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand)

  • Claire E. Badenhorst

    (School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand)

  • Nick Draper

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand)

  • Arindam Basu

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand)

  • Catherine A. Elliot

    (Department of Tourism, Sport, and Society, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • Michael J. Hamlin

    (Department of Tourism, Sport, and Society, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand)

  • John Batten

    (School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Danielle Lambrick

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK)

  • James Faulkner

    (School of Sport, Health and Community, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK)

Abstract

Strategies implemented worldwide to contain COVID-19 outbreaks varied in severity across different countries, and established a new normal for work and school life (i.e., from home) for many people, reducing opportunities for physical activity. Positive relationships of physical activity with both mental and physical health are well recognised, and therefore the aim was to ascertain how New Zealand’s lockdown restrictions impacted physical activity, mental health and wellbeing. Participants ( n = 4007; mean ± SD: age 46.5 ± 14.7 years, 72% female, 80.7% New Zealand European) completed (10–26 April 2020) an online amalgamated survey (Qualtrics): International Physical Activity Questionnaire: Short Form; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-9; World Health Organisation-Five Well-Being Index; Stages of Change Scale. Positive dose–response relationships between physical activity levels and wellbeing scores were demonstrated for estimates that were unadjusted (moderate activity OR 3.79, CI 2.88–4.92; high activity OR 8.04, CI 6.07–10.7) and adjusted (confounding variables: age, gender, socioeconomic status, time sitting and co-morbidities) (moderate activity 1.57, CI 1.11–2.52; high activity 2.85, CI 1.97–4.14). The study results support previous research demonstrating beneficial effects of regular physical activity on mental health and wellbeing. Governments may use these results to promote meeting physical activity guidelines in order to protect mental health and wellbeing during the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and future pandemics.

Suggested Citation

  • Wendy J. O’Brien & Claire E. Badenhorst & Nick Draper & Arindam Basu & Catherine A. Elliot & Michael J. Hamlin & John Batten & Danielle Lambrick & James Faulkner, 2021. "Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing during the First COVID-19 Containment in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12036-:d:680549
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ralf C. Buckley & Sonya Underdahl, 2023. "Tourism and Environment: Ecology, Management, Economics, Climate, Health, and Politics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Ralf C. Buckley & Mary-Ann Cooper, 2022. "Tourism as a Tool in Nature-Based Mental Health: Progress and Prospects Post-Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Amanda S. Gilbert & Jason Jabbari & Racquel Hernández, 2022. "How Do Perceived Changes in Child and Adolescent Activities Relate to Perceptions of Health during COVID-19? Exploring Heterogeneity during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Oliver W. A. Wilson & Hamish McEwen & Paul Kelly & Justin Richards, 2022. "Declines in Physical Activity among New Zealand Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analyses of Five Data Waves from Pre-Pandemic through April 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-9, March.
    5. Marcin Pasek & Jakub Kortas & Xingxing Zong & Mariusz Lipowski, 2022. "Secondary School Students’ Well-Being as an Effect of Outdoor Physical Activity versus Indoor Activity and Inactivity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Shinsuke Mizutani & Hideaki Matsuzaki & Kiyomi Iyota & Asuka Tani & Saori Oku & Hiroaki Tabuchi & Akiko Fujiwara & Shizuka Hase-Tamaru & Hiro Kishimoto & Kenji Narazaki, 2023. "Changes of Oral and Physical Functions in Older Japanese Who Participated in Keyboard Harmonica and Exercise Classes during COVID-19-Related Movement Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.

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