Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Factors associated with the practice of physical activity among university students in social isolation during the covid-19 pandemic

Fatores associados à prática de atividade física entre universitários durante o isolamento social- pandemia covid-19

Abstract

This study sought to analyze the practice of physical activity (PA) among university students, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated factors. This is a cross-sectional study with an analytical approach, carried out with 857 university students enrolled in higher education institutions in Montes Claros, in the state of Minas Gerais. Data collection was carried out using the Google forms, which was shared via social networks, containing questions regarding sociodemographic profile, physical activity, clinical factors, and behavioral and health habits. A descriptive exploratory analysis of the data was carried out, with frequency distribution of the study variables. Subsequently, bivariate analyses were performed and the associated variables with up to a level of 20% (p ≤ 0.20) were selected for multiple analysis using Poisson Regression. The prevalence non-practice of PA during the pandemic was of 56.8% among college students. Variables, such as being with a partner (PR=1.28), presence of respiratory diseases (PR=1.17), negative self-perception of health (PR=1.37), increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (PR=1.29), and presence of depression (PR=1.21), showed statistically significant associations with the practice of physical activity. We concluded that the non-practice of PA in university students during the social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with marital status, presence of respiratory diseases, negative self-perception of health, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and presence of depression.

Key words:
Physical activity; Lifestyle; Student health; Pandemic

Resumo

Este estudo buscou analisar a prática de atividade física entre universitários durante a pandemia de COVID19, e os fatores associados. Trata-se de estudo transversal de abordagem analítica, realizado com 857 universitários matriculados em instituições de ensino superior de Montes Claros-Minas Gerais. A coleta de dados foi realizada através do formulário Google forms, divulgado por redes sociais, contendo perguntas referentes ao perfil sociodemográfico, prática de atividade física, fatores clínicos, hábitos comportamentais e de saúde. Realizou-se análise descritiva exploratória dos dados, com distribuição de frequências das variáveis do estudo. Em seguida foram realizadas análises bivariadas e as variáveis associadas até o nível de 20% (p ≤ 0,20) foram selecionadas para a análise múltipla através da Regressão de Poisson. A prevalência de ausência da prática de AF durante a pandemia foi de 56,8% entre os universitários. Variáveis como estar com companheiro (RP=1,28), presença de doenças respiratórias (RP=1,17), autopercepção negativa da saúde (RP=1,37), aumento do consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (RP=1,29) e presença de depressão (RP=1,21) demonstraram associações estatisticamente significativas com a prática de atividade física. Neste estudo, observou-se elevada prevalência de universitários que não praticam AF durante o isolamento social, sendo associado a diversos fatores, como o estado conjugal, à presença de doenças, hábitos alimentares e a autopercepção do estado de saúde. Dessa forma, tais características podem subsidiar intervenções com o intuito de incentivar hábitos saudáveis e sobretudo, promover a prática de AF como promoção a saúde física e mental.

Palavras-chave:
Atividade física; Estilo de vida; Saúde do estudante; Pandemia

INTRODUCTION

The first case of the new coronavirus in Brazil was confirmed in February 2020, the year in which the World Health Organization (WHO) decreed a worldwide pandemic state11 Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, Dulebohn S. Features, evaluation and treatment Coronavirus (Covid-19) [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. [cited 2022 July 25]. Available from: https://www.statpearls.com/kb/viewarticle/52171/
https://www.statpearls.com/kb/viewarticl...
. Due to the considerable morbidity and mortality rate, as well as the rate of transmission of this virus, social distancing was the most widespread and effective prophylactic measure22 Malta DC, Szwarcwald CL, Barros MBA, Gomes CS, Machado ÍE, Souza Júnior PRB, et al. A pandemia da COVID-19 e as mudanças no estilo de vida dos brasileiros adultos: um estudo transversal, 2020. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;4(29):1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020000400026. PMid:32997069.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020...
. Municipal and State Health Departments published documents proposing the provisional closure of several spaces, including those destined for the practice of physical activity (PA)33 Pitanga FJG, Beck CC, Pitanga CPS. Atividade física e redução do comportamento sedentário durante a pandemia do coronavírus. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020;114(6):1058-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238. PMid:32638894.
http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238...
. These measures, however necessary, may contribute to physical inactivity44 Pitanga FJG, Beck CC, Pitanga CPS. Inatividade física, obesidade e COVID-19: perspectivas entre múltiplas pandemias. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0114.
http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0114...
and associated factors, such as obesity, poor diet22 Malta DC, Szwarcwald CL, Barros MBA, Gomes CS, Machado ÍE, Souza Júnior PRB, et al. A pandemia da COVID-19 e as mudanças no estilo de vida dos brasileiros adultos: um estudo transversal, 2020. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;4(29):1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020000400026. PMid:32997069.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020...
, non-communicable chronical diseases55 Araújo SEB, Cavagnari MAV, Vieira DG, Bennemann GD. Perfil nutricional e consumo alimentar de pacientes praticantes de atividade física atendidos por uma clínica escola de nutrição. Rev Bras Obes Nutr Emagrecimento. 2019;13(78):317-28., and mental disorders66 Brooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, Woodland L, Wessely S, Greenberg N, et al. The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. Lancet. 2020;395(10227):912-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8. PMid:32112714.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)...
.

The practice of physical activity is defined as any body movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure higher than at resting levels; when performed in a planned, structured, and repetitive way, it is called physical exercise, which, in turn, confers improvement or maintenance of physical fitness77 Caspersen CJ, Powell KE, Christenson GM. Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Rep. 1985;100(2):126-31. PMid:3920711.. The promotion of PA is directly related to the large amount of benefits it brings; among which are the improvement in quality of life and the reduction of disabilities caused by diseases that are aggravated by sedentary lifestyle, besides being closely related to the improvement of muscle, cardiac, respiratory, metabolic, and psychological conditions88 Schwendinger F, Pocecco E. Counteracting physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence-based recommendations for home-based exercise. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):3909. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113909. PMid:32492778.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113909...
. Consequently, there is also an effect on the health system with a reduction of hospitalizations, medications, and control of health expenditures in general55 Araújo SEB, Cavagnari MAV, Vieira DG, Bennemann GD. Perfil nutricional e consumo alimentar de pacientes praticantes de atividade física atendidos por uma clínica escola de nutrição. Rev Bras Obes Nutr Emagrecimento. 2019;13(78):317-28..

With the closing of spaces for the practice of PA, work, and educational activities, university students tend to adopt a sedentary routine, which favors weight gains and the emergence of associated comorbidities33 Pitanga FJG, Beck CC, Pitanga CPS. Atividade física e redução do comportamento sedentário durante a pandemia do coronavírus. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020;114(6):1058-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238. PMid:32638894.
http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238...
. Although there are studies in the literature examining the practice of PA and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, more research on this topic is still needed99 Sallis JF, Adlakha D, Oyeyemi A, Salvo D. An international physical activity and public health research agenda to inform coronavirus disease-2019 policies and practices. J Sport Health Sci. 2020;9(4):328-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.05.005. PMid:32450160.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.05...
, especially focusing on university students1010 Barkley JE, Lepp A, Glickman E, Farnell G, Beiting J, Wiet R, et al. The acute effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students and employees. Int J Exerc Sci. 2020;13(5):1326-39. PMid:33042377.. It is important to investigate the factors associated with the non-practice of PA to establish a fundamental basis for developing appropriate recommendations for lifestyle modifications during this period and to improve responses to similar events in the future. This study aims to analyze the practice of PA among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors.

METHODS

Characterization of the study

This is a cross-sectional study, of analytical approach. The study was conducted as part of a project called “Impactos no estilo de vida e saúde mental dos acadêmicos das instituições públicas e privadas de Montes Claros-Minas Gerais, em decorrência da pandemia do novo coronavírus (COVID-19)”, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Montes Claros, under Opinion no. 4.040.766.

Participants

The target population was composed of academics enrolled in higher education institutions in Montes Claros, in the state of Minas Gerais. As inclusion criteria, students had to be regularly enrolled in a higher education institution in Montes Claros and be 18 years of age or older.

Procedures and Instruments

Data collection was performed via Google Forms®, which was shared via social network WhatsApp. A questionnaire was used with questions obtained from other validated instruments.

The dependent variable was represented by the practice of PA, which was evaluated by the following question: during the period of social isolation, have you practiced regular physical exercises? (yes; no).

The independent variables were related to sociodemographic profile, clinical factors, and behavioral and health habits. The sociodemographic variables studied were gender (woman; man), age (≤ 30 years; > 30 years), race (white; non-white), marital status (without a partner, with a partner), type of educational institution they attend (private; public), loss of family income during social isolation (no; yes).

Clinical factors were evaluated by the presence of respiratory diseases, body mass index (BMI), and depression (no; yes). To assess the presence of respiratory diseases, the following question was used: “Has any doctor ever said that you have, or have had respiratory diseases? (yes; no).” To obtain BMI, weight and height were self-reported, the BMI was estimated using the Quetelet’s formula1111 Quételet A. Antropométrie ou mesure des différentes facultés de l’homme. Bruxelles: C. Muquardt; 1870., and later categorized (normal; altered).

The presence of depression symptoms was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). DASS-21 is an instrument developed by Lovibond and Lovibond1212 Lovibond SH, Lovibond PF. Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales. 2nd ed. Sydney: Psychology Foundation; 1995. and validated in Brazil by Vignola and Tucci.1313 Vignola RCB, Tucci AM. Adaptation and validation of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) to Brazilian portuguese. J Affect Disord. 2014;155:104-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.031. PMid:24238871.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.10....
The instrument is a self-report Likert-scale, with three subscales (depression, anxiety, and stress), consisting of 7 items. Each item consists of a phrase (a statement) that refers to negative emotional symptoms. Subjects are asked to respond to the extent to which each statement can be applied to them during the last month. There are four possibilities of answers for each sentence, presented on a 4-point Likert scale (from 0 to 3: 0. “did not apply to me at all,” 1. “applied to me to some degree, or some of the time,” 2. “applied to me to a considerable degree, or a good part of the time,” 3. “Applied to me very much, or most of the time”). The score of each subscale or factor corresponds to the sum of the scores of their respective items1414 Martins BG, Silva WR, Maroco J, Campos JA. Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse: propriedades psicométricas e prevalência das afetividades. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2019;68(1):32-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0047-2085000000222.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0047-208500000...
.

Regarding behavioral and health habits, self-perception of health status, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and sleep disorders were evaluated. The self-perception of health status, which was extracted from the Vigitel questionnaire and adapted to the context of social isolation, was investigated by the question: in the period of social isolation, how do you consider your health status? The four response categories were dichotomized into positive (“very good” and “good”) and negative (“regular” and “bad”).

To evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods, the concept was defined in the questionnaire as industrial formulations ready for consumption, including saltine crackers and chips; cakes, pies, sweet biscuits, chocolates, candies; breakfast cereals; hamburgers and sausages; fast-food snacks; ready-to-eat or semi-ready dishes (pizzas, frozen pasta or meat dishes, instant noodles, and powdered soups); and soft drinks and other sugary drinks1515 Louzada MLC, Ricardo CZ, Steele EM, Levy RB, Cannon G, Monteiro CA. The share of ultra-processed foods determines the overall nutritional quality of diets in Brazil. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(1):94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017001434. PMid:28714425.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017001...
. Subsequently, the following question was asked: during the period of social isolation, did the consumption of this type of food increase or decrease? (decreased; increased)

To evaluate sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, translated and validated by Bertolazi et al.1616 Bertolazi AN, Fagondes SC, Hoff LS, Dartora EG, Miozzo IC, de Barba ME, et al. Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Sleep Med. 2011;12(1):70-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2010.04.020. PMid:21145786.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2010.0...
, was used to assess the sleeping habits during the last month. It consists of 19 items that assess seven domains: subjective quality of sleep, sleep latency (time it takes to sleep and frequency with which they could not sleep in 30 minutes), sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency (at what time they usually go to bed and get up, and how many hour of sleep they have per night), sleep disorders (frequency with which they: wake up in the middle of the night or early morning; get up to go to the bathroom; have difficulty breathing comfortably; coughed or snored heavily; felt very cold; felt very hot; have bad dreams; feel pain; have difficulty sleeping due to another reason), use of sleeping medications, and daytime dysfunction (frequency with which they have difficulty staying awake while driving, eating, or participating in social activity; and, how problematic it is to maintain the enthusiasm to do things). For each domain, values from 0 to 3 are assigned, with a global score ranging from 0 to 21. The higher the score, the worse the quality of sleep. Overall score greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality.

Statistical analysis

The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 21 was used for data analysis. Initially, a descriptive analysis was performed, with frequency distribution of the studied variables. Subsequently, bivariate analyses were performed, seeking associations between the outcome studied (PA practice) and the independent variables, using the chi-square test, with the associated variables of up to 20% (p ≤ 0.20) being selected for multivariate analysis.

In the adjusted analytical phase, the independent variables were inserted in the Poisson regression model in an increasing manner, according to their statistical significance (p < 0.20), remaining in the model if they remained significant (p < 0.05) and/or adjusted to the model. Prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were obtained.

RESULTS

In total, 857 university students participated in this study, 73.7% were women and the mean age was 22.3 years (±4.68). The prevalence of non-practice of PA during the pandemic was 56.8% among university students. Table 1 shows the results of bivariate analyses between PA practice and independent variables. We found that the following variables were associated with the 20% level: gender, age, marital status, institution they attend, respiratory diseases, self-perceived health, consumption of ultra-processed foods, sleep disorder, and depression.

Table 1
Practice of physical activity among university students according to sociodemographic factors, clinical factors, and behavioral and health habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. (n=857).

In the adjusted multiple analysis, the following variables remained associated with non-practice of PA during the COVID-19 pandemic: being with a partner (PR=1.28), presence of respiratory diseases (PR=1.17), negative self-perception of health (PR=1.37), increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (PR-1.29), and presence of depression (PR=1.21) (Table 2).

Table 2
Crude and adjusted prevalence ratio for physical activity according to sociodemographic factors, clinical factors, and behavioral and health habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. (n=857).

DISCUSSION

Our study revealed a high prevalence non-practice of PA among university students, during the pandemic. These findings reveal that during social isolation, university students modified their lifestyles, with an increase in sitting time by spending more time at home, studying and/or working remotely, and consequently reducing the amount of time spent in PA1717 Ammar A, Brach M, Trabelsi K, Chtourou H, Boukhris O, Masmoudi L, et al. Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behaviour and physical activity: results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1583. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12061583. PMid:32481594.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12061583...
. The study by Tavares et al.1818 Tavares GH, de Oliveira DP, Rodrigues LR, da Mota CG, de Sousa TF, Polo MCE. Inatividade física no lazer durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em universitários de Minas Gerais. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0178.
http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0178...
, with 1,679 university students, in which the prevalence of physical inactivity during the pandemic was 44.4%, corroborates this study.

The results from a study conducted with university students from the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, agree with those found in this study. Prior to the pandemic, 16% of participants were complying with the Canadian Adult Movement Guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA. And during the pandemic only 10% met the guidelines for PA1919 Bertrand L, Shaw KA, Ko J, Deprez D, Chilibeck PD, Zello GA. The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021;46(3):265-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0990. PMid:33449864.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0990...
. A cross-sectional study with data from a health survey with 45,161 individuals, aged 18 years or older, living in Brazil, showed a reduction in the number of individuals who regularly performed PA, the percentage fell from 30.1% to 12.0%22 Malta DC, Szwarcwald CL, Barros MBA, Gomes CS, Machado ÍE, Souza Júnior PRB, et al. A pandemia da COVID-19 e as mudanças no estilo de vida dos brasileiros adultos: um estudo transversal, 2020. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;4(29):1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020000400026. PMid:32997069.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020...
. Another survey, with 2,004 adults living in municipalities from the five regions of Brazil, showed an increase in the percentage of participants classified as insufficiently active, from 65.5% to 80.1%. Moreover, of the participants considered sufficiently active before the new pandemic, 59% decreased their activity levels2020 Costa CLA, Costa TM, Barbosa Filho VC, Bandeira PFR, Siqueira RCL. Influência do distanciamento social no nível de atividade física durante a pandemia do COVID-19. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0123.
http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0123...
.

As for the university population, the shift from the controlled environment of the school to a more independent environment can impact the pattern of PA2121 Clemente FM, Nikolaidis PT, Martins FM, Mendes RS. Physical Activity Patterns in University Students: Do They Follow the Public Health Guidelines? PLoS One. 2016;11(3):e0152516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152516. PMid:27022993.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0...
. The closure of gyms and other recreational facilities, in public and private establishments, resulted in a reduction in the PA level33 Pitanga FJG, Beck CC, Pitanga CPS. Atividade física e redução do comportamento sedentário durante a pandemia do coronavírus. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020;114(6):1058-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238. PMid:32638894.
http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238...
. Another possible explanation for the high percentage of students who were physically inactive during the pandemic may be that many of the students who were no longer physically going to the university, since it had been transitioned to remote learning. However, the data presented in this study differ from those found by Romero-Blanco et al. 2222 Romero-Blanco C, Rodríguez-Almagro J, Onieva-Zafra MD, Parra-Fernández ML, Prado-Laguna MDC, Hernández-Martínez A. Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in university students: changes during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(18):6567. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186567. PMid:32916972.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186567...
with university students of Health Sciences, in which there was an increase in sitting time, but there was also an increase in both the time spent practicing PA and in the number of days in which the participants remained active. These outcomes indicate that the demands of the school environment do not facilitate PA, but in the absence of social relations and actions of the environment it increased the number of days and minutes that students spend with physical activity.

The results of our study indicated that university students with a partner tend toward not practicing PA during the pandemic. Similarly, another study suggests that living with a partner and/or children reduces the chance of PA during the pandemic by 48.0%2323 Rodrigues P, Reis EC, Bianchi L, Palma A. Fatores associados à prática de atividades físicas durante a pandemia da COVID-19 no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:e0124. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0124.
http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0124...
. This association is also seen in non-pandemic periods, as shown in the study by Silva et al.2424 Silva RRV, Moreira AD, Magalhães TA, Vieira MRM, Haikal DS. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física entre professores do nível básico de ensino. Rev Educ Fis UEM. 2019;30(1):e3037. http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i13037.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i...
, in which they observed that being single, divorced, or widowed increase the chance of being sufficiently active compared to married couples. These findings suggest that the practice of PA during social isolation attenuates parental stress and decreased quality of life in the home environment, due to the high demands of work and domestic activities2525 Limbers CA, McCollum C, Greenwood E. Physical activity moderates the association between parenting stress and quality of life in working mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ment Health Phys Act. 2020;19:100358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100358. PMid:33072187.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.10...
. The need to formulate new health promotion strategies aimed at married individuals is noticeable, since having a spouse proved to be a negative stimulus for practicing physical activity.

The presence of respiratory diseases was also associated with non-practice of PA. Individuals with respiratory diseases often decrease PA due to fear of worsening symptoms and this may result in reconditioning. During the pandemic, asthma patients were more inactive than healthy individuals, regardless of the presence of chronic disease2626 Daşdemir KA, Suner-Keklik S. Physical activity, sleep, and quality of life of patients with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Asthma. 2021;2:1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2021.1931303. PMid:34000956.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2021....
. Strict measures of social isolation also substantially affected the PA levels of individuals with cystic fibrosis2727 Radtke T, Haile SR, Dressel H, Benden C. Recommended shielding against COVID-19 impacts physical activity levels in adults with cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros. 2020;19(6):875-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2020.08.013. PMid:32878732.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2020.08....
. This is worrisome, since physical exercise is a vital pillar for the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The implementation of PA programs is a useful complementary tool for prevention, increasing recovery, improving quality of life, and providing long-term immune protection2828 Fernández-Lázaro D, González-Bernal JJ, Sánchez-Serrano N, Navascués LJ, Ascaso-Del-Río A, Mielgo-Ayuso J. Physical exercise as a multimodal tool for COVID-19: could it be used as a preventive strategy? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(22):8496. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228496. PMid:33212762.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228496...
.

Several studies2424 Silva RRV, Moreira AD, Magalhães TA, Vieira MRM, Haikal DS. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física entre professores do nível básico de ensino. Rev Educ Fis UEM. 2019;30(1):e3037. http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i13037.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i...
,2929 Santana JO, Peixoto SV. Inatividade física e comportamentos adversos para a saúde entre professores universitários. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2017;23(2):103-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220172302160772.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220172...
have shown the association between PA practice and negative self-perception of health. Behavioral issues, such as the practice of PA, may have different effects on self-perceived health, being considered a protective factor2424 Silva RRV, Moreira AD, Magalhães TA, Vieira MRM, Haikal DS. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física entre professores do nível básico de ensino. Rev Educ Fis UEM. 2019;30(1):e3037. http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i13037.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i...
. This association reinforces the benefits of regular PA practice in the prevention of diseases and changes in the general state of health, including its psychological and social aspects.

Our study showed that, during social isolation, the consumption of ultra-processed foods was related to the non-practice of PA among the university students evaluated. A study conducted with 955 university students, from four universities in northeastern Brazil, also observed a significant association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the non-practice of PA2929 Santana JO, Peixoto SV. Inatividade física e comportamentos adversos para a saúde entre professores universitários. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2017;23(2):103-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220172302160772.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220172...
. Social restriction can influence the consumption of foods rich in sugars, fats, calories, food preservatives and salt, and decrease energy expenditure, affecting energy balance, which can result in health damages such as increased obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

The increased time spent at home, watching or hearing news on the pandemic, the increase in anxiety and food cravings due to mood, and the decrease in physical activity can cause unwanted repercussions on an individual’s physical and mental health. Prolonged PA restriction and isolation negatively affect depression, as well as feelings of anxiety and fear. In this study, the presence of depression was associated with non-practice of PA. Studies confirm that regular PA during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression among the interviewees3030 Xiang MQ, Tan XM, Sun J, Yang HY, Zhao XP, Liu L, et al. Relationship of physical activity with anxiety and depression symptoms in chinese college students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Front Psychol. 2020;11:582436. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.582436. PMid:33329238.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.582...
.

This study presents some limitations, such as the evaluation of PA made through self-reported information, which could overestimate a practice considered desirable. This is a cross-sectional study, which makes it impossible to establish a cause-effect relationship, and the questionnaires evaluated through social media may be subject to selection bias.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed a high prevalence of university students who did not practice PA during social isolation, which was associated with several factors, such as marital status (married), the presence of diseases (respiratory and depression), eating habits (consumption of ultra-processed foods), and their state of health (negative self-perception). Thus, such characteristics can support interventions to encourage healthy habits and, above all, promote the practice of PA as a promotion of physical and mental health.

  • How to cite this article Rocha BMS, Souto MFO, Mendes VCN, Ferreira JVB, Azevedo EO, Cunha ALLPE, Rocha JSB, Pinho L. Factors associated with the practice of physical activity among university students in social isolation during the covid-19 pandemic. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum 2023, 25:e90191. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-0037.2023v25e90191
  • Funding

    This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. This study was funded by the authors

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, Dulebohn S. Features, evaluation and treatment Coronavirus (Covid-19) [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. [cited 2022 July 25]. Available from: https://www.statpearls.com/kb/viewarticle/52171/
    » https://www.statpearls.com/kb/viewarticle/52171/
  • 2
    Malta DC, Szwarcwald CL, Barros MBA, Gomes CS, Machado ÍE, Souza Júnior PRB, et al. A pandemia da COVID-19 e as mudanças no estilo de vida dos brasileiros adultos: um estudo transversal, 2020. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;4(29):1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020000400026 PMid:32997069.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1679-49742020000400026
  • 3
    Pitanga FJG, Beck CC, Pitanga CPS. Atividade física e redução do comportamento sedentário durante a pandemia do coronavírus. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020;114(6):1058-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238 PMid:32638894.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.36660/abc.20200238
  • 4
    Pitanga FJG, Beck CC, Pitanga CPS. Inatividade física, obesidade e COVID-19: perspectivas entre múltiplas pandemias. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0114
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0114
  • 5
    Araújo SEB, Cavagnari MAV, Vieira DG, Bennemann GD. Perfil nutricional e consumo alimentar de pacientes praticantes de atividade física atendidos por uma clínica escola de nutrição. Rev Bras Obes Nutr Emagrecimento. 2019;13(78):317-28.
  • 6
    Brooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, Woodland L, Wessely S, Greenberg N, et al. The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. Lancet. 2020;395(10227):912-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8 PMid:32112714.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8
  • 7
    Caspersen CJ, Powell KE, Christenson GM. Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Rep. 1985;100(2):126-31. PMid:3920711.
  • 8
    Schwendinger F, Pocecco E. Counteracting physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence-based recommendations for home-based exercise. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(11):3909. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113909 PMid:32492778.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113909
  • 9
    Sallis JF, Adlakha D, Oyeyemi A, Salvo D. An international physical activity and public health research agenda to inform coronavirus disease-2019 policies and practices. J Sport Health Sci. 2020;9(4):328-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.05.005 PMid:32450160.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.05.005
  • 10
    Barkley JE, Lepp A, Glickman E, Farnell G, Beiting J, Wiet R, et al. The acute effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students and employees. Int J Exerc Sci. 2020;13(5):1326-39. PMid:33042377.
  • 11
    Quételet A. Antropométrie ou mesure des différentes facultés de l’homme. Bruxelles: C. Muquardt; 1870.
  • 12
    Lovibond SH, Lovibond PF. Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales. 2nd ed. Sydney: Psychology Foundation; 1995.
  • 13
    Vignola RCB, Tucci AM. Adaptation and validation of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) to Brazilian portuguese. J Affect Disord. 2014;155:104-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.031 PMid:24238871.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.031
  • 14
    Martins BG, Silva WR, Maroco J, Campos JA. Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse: propriedades psicométricas e prevalência das afetividades. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2019;68(1):32-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0047-2085000000222
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0047-2085000000222
  • 15
    Louzada MLC, Ricardo CZ, Steele EM, Levy RB, Cannon G, Monteiro CA. The share of ultra-processed foods determines the overall nutritional quality of diets in Brazil. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(1):94-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017001434 PMid:28714425.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017001434
  • 16
    Bertolazi AN, Fagondes SC, Hoff LS, Dartora EG, Miozzo IC, de Barba ME, et al. Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Sleep Med. 2011;12(1):70-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2010.04.020 PMid:21145786.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2010.04.020
  • 17
    Ammar A, Brach M, Trabelsi K, Chtourou H, Boukhris O, Masmoudi L, et al. Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on eating behaviour and physical activity: results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1583. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12061583 PMid:32481594.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12061583
  • 18
    Tavares GH, de Oliveira DP, Rodrigues LR, da Mota CG, de Sousa TF, Polo MCE. Inatividade física no lazer durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em universitários de Minas Gerais. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0178
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0178
  • 19
    Bertrand L, Shaw KA, Ko J, Deprez D, Chilibeck PD, Zello GA. The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021;46(3):265-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0990 PMid:33449864.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0990
  • 20
    Costa CLA, Costa TM, Barbosa Filho VC, Bandeira PFR, Siqueira RCL. Influência do distanciamento social no nível de atividade física durante a pandemia do COVID-19. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:1-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0123
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0123
  • 21
    Clemente FM, Nikolaidis PT, Martins FM, Mendes RS. Physical Activity Patterns in University Students: Do They Follow the Public Health Guidelines? PLoS One. 2016;11(3):e0152516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152516 PMid:27022993.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152516
  • 22
    Romero-Blanco C, Rodríguez-Almagro J, Onieva-Zafra MD, Parra-Fernández ML, Prado-Laguna MDC, Hernández-Martínez A. Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in university students: changes during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(18):6567. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186567 PMid:32916972.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186567
  • 23
    Rodrigues P, Reis EC, Bianchi L, Palma A. Fatores associados à prática de atividades físicas durante a pandemia da COVID-19 no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:e0124. http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0124
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.25e0124
  • 24
    Silva RRV, Moreira AD, Magalhães TA, Vieira MRM, Haikal DS. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física entre professores do nível básico de ensino. Rev Educ Fis UEM. 2019;30(1):e3037. http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i13037
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i13037
  • 25
    Limbers CA, McCollum C, Greenwood E. Physical activity moderates the association between parenting stress and quality of life in working mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ment Health Phys Act. 2020;19:100358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100358 PMid:33072187.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100358
  • 26
    Daşdemir KA, Suner-Keklik S. Physical activity, sleep, and quality of life of patients with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Asthma. 2021;2:1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2021.1931303 PMid:34000956.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2021.1931303
  • 27
    Radtke T, Haile SR, Dressel H, Benden C. Recommended shielding against COVID-19 impacts physical activity levels in adults with cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros. 2020;19(6):875-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2020.08.013 PMid:32878732.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2020.08.013
  • 28
    Fernández-Lázaro D, González-Bernal JJ, Sánchez-Serrano N, Navascués LJ, Ascaso-Del-Río A, Mielgo-Ayuso J. Physical exercise as a multimodal tool for COVID-19: could it be used as a preventive strategy? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(22):8496. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228496 PMid:33212762.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228496
  • 29
    Santana JO, Peixoto SV. Inatividade física e comportamentos adversos para a saúde entre professores universitários. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2017;23(2):103-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220172302160772
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220172302160772
  • 30
    Xiang MQ, Tan XM, Sun J, Yang HY, Zhao XP, Liu L, et al. Relationship of physical activity with anxiety and depression symptoms in chinese college students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Front Psychol. 2020;11:582436. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.582436 PMid:33329238.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.582436

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    13 Nov 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    25 July 2022
  • Accepted
    22 Sept 2023
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário Trindade, Centro de Desportos - RBCDH, Zip postal: 88040-900 - Florianópolis, SC. Brasil, Fone/fax : (55 48) 3721-8562/(55 48) 3721-6348 - Florianópolis - SC - Brazil
E-mail: rbcdh@contato.ufsc.br