Physical Activity and Psychological Symptoms in University Teachers Improved Post-COVID-19 Lockdown, but Sedentary...

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether the movement patterns and mental health of university teachers changed after returning to on-site class activities following the COVID-19 lockdown. Specifically, it compared levels of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior time (SBT), active breaks (ABs), and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among university teachers during online and on-site teaching periods. We also analyzed the association between movement patterns with psychological and anthropometric variables. Methods: University teachers who engaged in online teaching activities because of the COVID-19 restrictions and returned to on-site classes were included. Each teacher wore an accelerometer and answered the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. The following parameters were assessed: SBT, light (LPA), moderate (MPA), and vigorous (VPA) (min/day); moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) (min/week); steps/day and ABs/day. Results: Thirty-seven teachers with complete data from both phases were included. Once the on-site teaching activities resumed, LPA (9 min/day), MPA (6 min/day), total PA (20 min/day), MVPA (49 min/week), and steps/day (1100) significantly increased. While SBT showed no changes, ABs/day bouts increased. Depression and stress symptoms improved upon returning to on-site teaching activities. A positive association was identified between SBT and waist circumference (WC). There were negative associations between steps/day and MVPA with body mass index (BMI), steps/day with WC, and LPA with stress symptoms. Conclusions: Upon returning to on-site teaching activities, PA levels, steps/day, and ABs/day bouts all increased, although SBT remained elevated compared with during the lockdown. The teachers' psychological symptoms improved. PA was associated with better health markers, while SBT was associated with increased WC.