Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Level and Mental Health of Adolescents: An Investigation during a Major Disaster

Abstract

Abstract During COVID-19, did physical activity levels (PAL) play a role in protecting adolescent mental health? Objective: This study aims to further understand the changes in PAL and mental health among adolescents before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 and explore the protective role of physical activity (PA) on the mental health of adolescents during major disasters. Methods: A convenient sampling method was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-60 (MMPI-60). Correlations between PAL and mental health scores of adolescents were tested using Pearson correlation, independent samples t-test, and cross-tabulation analysis in SPSS. Results: Before and after the outbreak of COVID-19, the PAL of adolescents was 2.36±0.74 and 2.50±0.66, respectively, with a significant difference (p<0.01, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.19). The mental health scores were 1.71±0.60 and 1.86±0.73, respectively, with a significant difference (p<0.01, 95% CI: -0.20, -0.10). The detection rates of mental health problems were 27.50% and 35.50%, respectively. The rates of achieving PAL standards were 30.20% and 18.00% among adolescents, while the rates of not achieving PAL standards were 39.60% and 18.00%. Conclusion: PA is a protective factor for the mental health of adolescents during major disasters.