The impact of physical activity on psychological well-being and perceived health status during coronavirus pandemic in university students

OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA), and find correlation with psychological well-being and perceived health status in university students prior to versus 4–6 weeks following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic METHODS: Registered students to the 2020/2021 academic year participated in an online survey representing four Hungarian universities in the framework of “COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study” project. Moderate and vigorous PA were measured with a single question, psychological well-being was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies − Depression Scale (CES-D) short form and perceived health status on the 11-point Cantril ladder respectively. Statistical analyses were calculated using SPSS 26.0 software RESULTS: A total of 2779 Hungarian citizen students completed the questionnaire and 2162 (27.7% males) provided full information on PA. Mean age was 24.52 (SD = 7.15) years. A significant decrease was observed in moderate PA prior to and during social isolation (Z = -14.956; p < .001). Students mean well-being was 10.23, SD = 5.28)/32. After analyzing changes (decreased, unchanged, increased) of PA in the context of well-being, it was found students with reduced PA had significantly less favorable scores on well-being scale than students who unchanged or increased their PA level, both in moderate (F = 32.35; p < .001) and vigorous (F = 21.44; p < .001) PA. Regarding the perceived health status there was significant reduction during the pandemic (M = 7.58, SD = 2.19) compared to the preceding period (M = 7.94, SD = 1.85; p < .001). This reduction was most notable in the group that reduced PA CONCLUSIONS: The closure of universities and sport facilities unfavorably influenced the students’ previous PA level. Based on the result, there is a negative relationship between PA and psychological wellbeing also between PA and perceived health status. Universities may pay more attention to keep their students physically active even during a pandemic as it may be far from being over yet.