This is sometimes referred to as ‘the second epidemic’ and evidence of this mental health burden is already emerging. The Centre for Social Impact predicted that the far-reaching economic and social impacts of COVID-19 will continue to take a toll on Australians’ mental health. The segment of the population called ‘Sport Lovers’ appeared the most positive, and the ‘Not interested (in sport)’ the least positive. In June 2021, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 20% of Australians experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in the last four weeks, similar to March 2021 (20%) and November 2020 (21%).įurther, almost 30% of younger Australians (aged 18 to 34 years) experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in June 2021, compared with 18% of people aged 35 to 64 years and 10% of people aged 65 years and over.ĭuring the first national lockdown period of April to June 2020, it was found (through Sport Australia’s Community Perceptions Monitor survey) that people who were finding it easier to keep fit and active reported feeling more optimistic and connected, with greater well-being. It suggested, during the initial stage of the pandemic, people who were less physically active had worse mental health. This study again demonstrates the well established direct link between mental health and physical activity and the value in remaining active during periods of high stress.Ī recent study, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, stated this link is being further exposed during the pandemic. Respondents who were able to stay active reported feeling less motivated by physical health outcomes such as weight loss (-7%) or strength (-14%) and instead more motivated by mental health outcomes such as anxiety relief (+14%).The majority of respondents were unmotivated to exercise because they were too anxious (+8%,), lacked social support (+6%), or had limited access to equipment (+23%) or space (+41%).Respondents' whose mental health deteriorated the most were also the ones who were least active.Respondents had increased psychological stress (+22%) and brought on moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Respondents were Less physically active (aerobic activity, -11% strength-based activity, -30%) and more sedentary (+11%) during the pandemic as compared to 6-months before.A 2021 online survey of Canadian adults (18+) sought to understand why and how physical activity and sedentary behaviour had changed because of the pandemic, and how those changes impacted mental health. The pandemic has impacted the mental and social wellbeing of many Australians, with numerous publications linking a decline in mental health to declining levels of physical activity and increased sedentary behaviour.
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