Mental Health Factors Influencing Changes in Physical Activity Among University Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lifestyle restrictions due to Covid-19 are thought to affect the amount of physical activity in daily life. It has been reported that depression and suicide are increasing, especially among the younger generation. The issue of how to keep physical and mental health in the constraint’s situation has become a big challenge in the world. Although there are many reports of the impact of physical inactivity on mental health, it is not clear what mental health factors are involved in changes in physical activity in the restriction situation. It is important for physical and mental health to know how to cope with stress and to continue active life in the restriction situation such as Covid-19 period.

Significant factors for the lack of decrease in activity in this restrictive situation were the absence of depression, manageability, and a low sense of meaningfulness. The results suggest that having a challenging mental attitude can help to prevent a decline in physical activity. To increase the amount of physical activity, it is important to be in a good mental state such as a feel that you can do well in this situation and the sense that you do not have to sacrifice yourself. The sense of manageability and the sense of not wanting to be tied down or forced to make self-sacrificing sacrifices are factors that contribute to an increase in activity even in restrictive situations.