According to a recent study, the tendency to experience positive affectivity has contributed to how physically active people are or even increasing their activity during Covid-19 restrictions. In contrast, depressive feelings were linked to lower physical activity. The results suggest that mental well-being can help maintain a physically active lifestyle. Mental well-being and physical activity can thus form a positive cycle.
In a study conducted at the Gerontology Research Center and the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, it was found that most men and women aged 60 to 88 maintained or even increased their level of physical activity during the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Participants who experienced more positive affectivity had higher levels of physical activity and were more likely to increase their activity during restrictions.
It was interesting to observe that the link between positive affectivity and physical activity was more consistent in individuals around the age of 60 than in those over 70. “
Tiina Savikangas, postdoctoral researcher
“In Finland, no curfew was declared but older participants faced stricter restrictions compared to working-age individuals, which may have reduced the role of positive mental well-being on physical activity.”
Previous research evidence has shown that physical activity contributes to mental well-being. However, recent findings suggest that mental well-being may also help maintain a physically active lifestyle. Mental well-being and physical activity can thus form a positive cycle.
“Mental well-being is an important resource for physical activity.”
“Those who have such resources are more likely to remain active, even in exceptional circumstances,” notes Savikangas.
The study also found that experiencing depressive feelings during the Covid-19 pandemic was associated with lower levels of physical activity and a higher likelihood of reducing activity. The link between depressive feelings and reduced physical activity was particularly pronounced among participants over the age of 70. The results suggest that different aspects of mental well-being may have varying significance for physical activity at different ages.
“Supporting mental well-being is crucial to promoting a physically active lifestyle, even during societal emergencies,” says Savikangas.
“However, the goal should not only be to prevent depressive feelings, but also to strengthen the positive side of mental well-being.”
The study found no link between experiencing negative affectivity and physical activity when depressive feelings were considered. Experiencing depressive feelings may include other symptoms in addition to negative affectivity, such as insomnia and loss of appetite. Therefore, depressive feelings may be a more comprehensive risk factor for low physical activity than negative responsibility alone.
The research publication is based on the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS)in particular its last phase of data collection Developmental psychological perspectives on transitions at age 60: Individuals navigate the lifespan (pathways) And Promoting safe walking among older people (password)both conducted at the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences and Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. A total of 162 men and women aged 60 to 61 from trails participated in this study by responding to a survey on physical activity during the Covid-19 pandemic between April 2020 and July 2021. From password, 272 men and women aged 72 to 88 participated by responding to a postal survey conducted between April and June 2020. The number of physical activities during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Changes were assessed using a questionnaire specially developed for this purpose by the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences. Positive and negative affectivity, as well as depressive feelings, were measured using self-reports. Additionally, factors such as participant gender, marital status, education level, employment status, perceived health, habitual physical activity and, in the older cohort, age, were taken into account. The JYLS study is led by research director Katja Kokko and the password study by professor of sports gerontology Sarianna Sipilä. Both studies were funded by the Academy of Finland.
Source:
Journal reference:
Savikangas, T., et al. (2024). Associations of positive and negative mental well-being with physical activity during Covid-19 in late adulthood. BMC Public Health. doi.org/10.1186/S12889-024-20803-3.