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Exercise Effect on Mental Health in Isolating or Quarantining Adults
Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance
|August 17, 2023
Summary
Regular physical activity (PA) significantly improves mental health (MH) in adults undergoing quarantine. Maintaining exercise during confinement is crucial for well-being, with moderate to vigorous activity showing the most benefit.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Research
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mandates quarantine for travelers.
- Quarantine is frequently linked to negative mental health (MH) outcomes.
- The impact of exercise on MH within confined settings remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effect of exercise on mental health in adults during periods of isolation or quarantine.
- To synthesize evidence on the efficacy of physical activity interventions in confined populations.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across Ovid MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
- The search was limited to studies published between January 2019 and September 2021.
- Five eligible studies involving 2755 participants, primarily college/university students in confinement, were included.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of quarantined students (24.9-76.7%) experienced impaired mental health.
- Physical activity (PA) demonstrated a positive effect on improving mental health outcomes.
- Regular, moderate-to-vigorous PA showed the most substantial benefits, with exercise engagement increasing over time.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing and maintaining physical fitness before and during quarantine is recommended.
- Ensuring accessible exercise space and equipment is vital for quarantined individuals.
- The long-term sustainability of quarantine measures necessitates consideration of mental health support through physical activity.
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