Influence of physical exercise on mental health of college students during the epidemic of COVID -19

Objective To investigate the effect of physical exercise on mental health of college students during the epidemic of COVID-19, and to provide reference for mental health education in special period. Methods By using basic demographic data questionnaire, physical exercise questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD - 7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), an internet-based questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 297 college students in Fuzhou. Pearson correlation analysis and a multivariate Logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis. Results Among the college students, 58.7% took part in physical exercise more than or equal to three times a week, 27.8% of them took part in physical exercise more than or equal to 30 minutes each time, 55.4% of them had took part in moderate-intensity activity each time, only 16.6% of them reported regular exercise. The overall detection rates of anxiety were 20.0%, with mild, moderate and severe anxiety being 16.4%, 2.3% and 1.2%, respectively. The detection rates of depression were 24.7%, with mild, moderate, moderate -to - severe and severe depression being 18.0%, 4.4%, 1.2% and 1.1%, respectively. The analysis results of multivariate Logistic regression show that college students who had no exercise at present and have no intention of regular exercise in the next 2 months ( OR = 3.36) and have no exercise at present but plan to start regular exercise in the next 2 months ( OR = 4.07) or those who exercise occasionally ( OR = 2.65) are prone to develop mild anxiety ( P <0.05) . College students who had no exercise at present and have no intention of regular exercise in the next 2 months ( OR = 5.66, 3.86) were prone to develop mild and moderate depression ( P <0.05). Conclusion College students reported certain degree of anxiety and depression during the epidemic of COVID-19. Anxiety and depression are closely related. Participation in physical exercise is associated with their mental health among college students. Universities, families and relevant departments should take measures to promote college students to participate in moderate and regular physical exercise. 【摘要】 目的 了解新型冠状病毒肺炎 (以下简称“新冠肺炎”) 疫情下体育锻炼对大学生心理健康的影响, 为在特殊时 期加强心理健康教育提供参考。 方法 采用基本人口学资料调査表、自编的大学生体育锻炼问卷、广泛性焦虑量表和病人 健康问卷抑郁量表, 对方便抽取的福州市 1 297 名大学生进行网络问卷调査, 运用 Pearson 相关分析和无序多分类Logistic 回归模型进行统计分析。 结果 58.7% 的大学生每周参加体育锻炼次数為 3 次, 27.8% 每次参加体育锻炼时间為 30 min, 55.4% 每次体育锻炼强度为中度, 只有 16.6% 的大学生一直坚持规律性的锻炼。大学生焦虑检出率为20.0%, 其中轻度、中 度、重度焦虑检出率分别为16.4%, 2.3%, 1.2%;抑郁检出率为 24.7%, 其中轻、中、中重及重度检出率分别为 18.0%, 4.4%, 1.2%, 1.1%。无序多分类Logistic回归分析结果显示, 大学生每次没有开始规律性锻炼的意愿 ( OR =3.36)、目前不锻炼, 但 打算在未来 2 个月内开始规律性锻炼 ( OR = 4.07) 或偶尔锻炼的 ( OR = 2.65) 易产生轻度焦虑情绪( P 值均<0.05);大学生目 前不锻炼且在未来 2 个月内也没有开始规律性锻炼意愿的 ( OR 值分别为5.66,3.86)易产生轻、中度抑郁情绪 ( P 值均< 0.05)。 结论 新冠肺炎疫情下, 大学生出现不同程度的焦虑和抑郁情绪, 焦虑与抑郁呈髙度相关。大学生参加体育锻炼 会影响其心理健康状态, 髙校、家庭及有关部门应采取措施促进大学生参加适度的、有规律的体育锻炼。