Anxiety, Depression and Stress Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Physical Activities: Systematic Review and Future
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Abstract
Introduction: The global population has been grappling with varying degrees of stress and anxiety as COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent impacts. Physical activity has long been recognized for its potential to enhance mental well-being, and numerous studies have explored the relationship between physical activity and both physical and mental health. However, consensus regarding the effectiveness of physical activity as an intervention to alleviate psychological issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic remains limited. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the relationship between stress, anxiety, depression, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and physical activity as an intervention for enhancing psychological well-being. Methods: In order to compile pertinent research findings, an extensive review of the literature spanning from January 2020 through December 2022 was carried out using reputable online databases, which encompassed PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus. Diverse combinations of search terms, including “COVID-19,” “Stress,” “Anxiety,” “Depression,” and “Physical activity,” were utilized. Furthermore, the effectiveness of physical activity in promoting both physical and mental well-being was also explored. Results: The extant body of research reveals that physical activity exerts a beneficial impact on both physical and mental well-being. However, at present, there are only 13 studies on the improvement of anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic using physical activities intervention, and the conclusions are inconsistent. Conclusion: At present, it is impossible to prove that physical activity intervention can improve the adverse psychological state caused by COVID-19.
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