Exercise as it relates to Disease/The importance of physical activity in improving mental health outcomes in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

What is the background to this research?

The research literature titled, "The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity in Older Adults Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic", looks to analyse the importance of physical activity among older adults and how it can improve their mental health outcomes while in COVID-19 isolation. Due to the relatively limited knowledge of the COVID-19 Pandemic and how it impacts the life of the aging population, this literature helps to fill this gap and show how physical activity may help to improve the depressive and anxiety symptoms experienced by those in isolation. This article looks at the negative effects of social isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it increases the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms. It is important to understand the relationship between physical activity and how it can improve the psychological state of those who have been both emotionally and socially deprived. Recent literature has shown that those in the geriatric population are more susceptible to serve disease and even death caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore other means of psychological stimulation are required to combat the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Where is the research from?

The authors of this study Daniel D. Callow et al. work out of the University of Maryland. All of the authors on this article have several research papers published in multiple peer reviewed journals. The authors have conducted research in the areas of the COVID-19 pandemic , the effects of exercise on the brains plasticity and function, and exercise related changes in those with mild cognitive impairment. These research articles suggest all authors on this article have previous experience in this field.

This research article was published by the Department of Kinesiology and School of Public Health at the University of Maryland with no additional sponsorships or funding from any other organisation. No conflict of interest was reported for any of the authors who worked on this research project.

What kind of research was this?

The research design was a descriptive cross-sectional study which used and online survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The findings in this article suggest that higher levels of physical activity correlate with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar literature also shows that increased levels of physical activity shows a correlation with reduced levels of depression and anxiety as well as boost the body's immune system function. Additionally, the literature suggest that whilst self-isolation and quarantine rules are a vital tool in the fight against COVID-19, it is important to maintain regular levels of physical activity to help boost resilience, reduce excessive weight gain, and promote a positive psychological well-being. There is very little literature to suggest that maintaining regular levels of physical activity; whilst in self-isolation and currently not experience symptoms of COVID-19; is harmful if performed in a safe manner.

What did the research involve?

This study used an online survey to record the responses of 1046 older adults over the age of 50 who reside in North America. An online Qualtrics survey consisting of 136 questions was used to collect data from the participants. It was designed to take about 15 minutes. The survey included questions which sort to identify the participants demographic information, geographical location, current health status, whether they worked as a first responder, and a subjective view on how the current social distancing guideline have impacted their physical state and social isolation. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), and social media advertising were used as the primary method in recruiting the required population for the study.

Due to the circumstances of the pandemic the methodology used appears to be the only appropriate method. The researchers and participants remained in self-isolation due to the pandemic and therefore an online survey was the only viable means of collecting the data used in the research. However it can be said that this research method is limited in is validity and reliability as the participants responses may be subjected to biases, over or under representation of the depressive and anxiety symptoms experienced, and falsifications into how much physical activity was actually undertaken. The data collected in this study may not accurately reflect reality.

What were the basic results?

The article suggest that a greater total amount of physical activity helped to reduce depressive symptoms but not anxiety like symptoms. The research also suggest that either light intensity or vigorous intensity exercise was effective at reducing the depression scores in the participants, and that those who did not engage in any physical activity during social distancing guideline were twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. The researchers suggest that their findings are inline with similar studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However it is suggested that the efficacy of exercise interventions in treating depression in older adults is still up for debate.

What conclusions can we take from this research?

After analysing the findings of this research it can be concluded that any amount of physical activity during self-isolation if helpful in alleviating depressive symptoms. It is not apparent as to whether or not exercise during self-isolation also helps with reducing the symptoms of anxiety. However it can be said that the methodology used in this research is limited in its scope and reliability. The outcomes of this research are representative of similar studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical advice

This research article is limited in its offerings of practical advice. There is no suggestion of what kind of exercise was undertaken by the participants and or how it could be monitored or encouraged. It should be taken into consideration that this study used an online survey and all responses provided by the participants were subjective. This research does not mention whether any participants had symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of exercising. It is not mentioned in this article if it is safe or not to engage in physical activity while experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. It is best to seek further medical advise on this matter and not rely solely on the findings of this article.

Further information/resources

As the world continues to progress through the COVID-19 pandemic more literature and research on this matter is continuing to appear. There are many other studies that have looked at the health outcomes of participating in regular physical activity while in self-isolation. Some helpful resources have been listed below:

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/news/during-covid-19-you-can-exercise-your-way-to-better-mental-health/

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/recovery-and-returning-to-normal-activities#exercise

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/9/9/245/htm