Assessment of Physical Activity Behavior and Mental Health in Covid-19 Post-Lockdown among University Students of Capital City, Islamabad

Abstract

Background: Due to Covid-19 lockdowns, physical activity and mental health are primarily affected. In this study, we assess university students' physical activity and mental health after the Covid-19 lockdown. Objective: To assess physical activity behavior and mental health among university students. To determine relation between physical activity and mental health and also sociodemographic factor associated with physical activity behavior and mental health. Methods: It was cross sectional study and done in 6 months after IRB approval. After meeting the inclusion criteria 384 university students were enrolled. Informed consent and demographic detail was noted. Students were evaluated for physical activity behavior using GPAQ tool and for mental health PSS tool were used. Results: There has been no noticeable change after the Covid-19 lockdown. We found that 49.36% of university students do not do vigorous-intensity sports or leisure activities for at least 10 minutes, and 49.11% do not do moderate-intensity sports for at least 10 minutes. However, 80.10% of students suffer from moderate stress and 11.06% from mild anxiety. Some demographic variables also have effects on physical activity and mental health. Conclusion: According to this study, most students are physically inactive, and because of less physical activity, they suffer from moderate to high stress. The contributing factors after the covid-19 lockdown is students living with a family member suffering from covid 19 during the lockdown and family structure. Keywords: physical activity behavior, GPAQ, mental health, university students, Covid 19 post-lockdown.