Physical activity and emotional state during confinement in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Social isolation and generalized confinement in many countries has caused a decrease in physical activity (PA) and an increase in levels of stress, anxiety and depression. The objective of this work has been to evaluate the incidence of PA on the emotional state during a period of mandatory confinement due to COVID- 19. 360 university students from Málaga University participated divided into three groups, control (Sedentary, Sed), and experimental (group with low physical activity, BAct, and physically active, Act). The experimental groups were conducted on a PA intervention program for 11 weeks, from the beginning to the end of the mandatory confinement. A weekly online questionnaire was collected, recording the level of PA (min / week) and the results of the PIL test (purpose in life). The level of PA decreased significantly at the beginning of the confinement and increased significantly in the flexibilization phases. PA has a positive effect on the sense of life and practicing some physical exercise on a regular basis could be a crucial tool to face a state of mandatory confinement.