CAN THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE BE A PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.159332303016

• Palavras-chave: anxiety; depression; health; physical training

• Keywords: anxiety; depression; health; physical training

• Abstract:

  The objective of the study was to verify the practice of physical exercise as a protective factor for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of N=137 individuals, age (31.50 ± 13.08 years), n=45 men and n=92 women, people, answered an online questionnaire built on Google Forms, divided into five domains: 1- Data from Identification: information regarding age, sex, marital status, level of education, state of residence, whether the participant was socially isolated during the period of filling out the questionnaire; 2- Analysis of lifestyle aspects before and during the covid-19 pandemic: physical exercise (frequency, intensity, type, time); 3- Beck Anxiety and Depression Scales. Analyzes were performed using SPSS version 25. Categorical variables are described as absolute numbers and percentages, and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and binary logistic regression. In logistic regression analysis (expressed as odds ratio; 95% confidence interval). Sedentary individuals were more likely to have moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety (OR 2.85CI95%:1.38-5.88) and depression (OR 2.92CI95%1.41-6.04). It is concluded that the practice of physical exercise can be a protective factor for mental health in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.