Exercise behavior patterns and associations with subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the behavior and practice of planned and structured physical exercises. This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in physical exercise behavior and subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in Brazil and included a total of 595 individuals recruited through social media platforms, personal and professional contacts. Each participant responded to self-completed questionnaire via an online survey between March 29 and May 7, 2020. The characteristics of physical exercise (frequency, intensity, and duration) were collected before and during the pandemic. The subjective state of mood was measured through the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire during the pandemic. A generalized linear model was employed for the analysis. RESULTS: Exercising during the pandemic only promoted protective effects on the subjective mood. An exercise frequency of 3-5 days/week was associated with improved vigor and between 6-7 days/week with improved vigor and total mood when compared to not exercising at all (p < .005). A moderate intensity was associated with improved vigor, and a high intensity with improved vigor, total mood, and less fatigue in comparison to low-intensity exercise programs (p < 0.05). Maintaining the same duration of exercise sessions during the pandemic was associated with lower scores of depression/anxiety, fatigue and irritability, and improved vigor and total mood, while performing longer sessions with improved vigor when compared to short exercise sessions (p < .005). CONCLUSION: Regular exercising during the pandemic promotes positive changes in the subjective well-being. Our results reinforce the need for adopting and maintaining a physical exercise routine during the COVID-19 pandemic as a protective effect on mental health.