Preventing mental health, well-being and physical activity during the corona pandemic – recommendations from psychology and sports medicine

Abstract

During the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, sitting time and physical inactivity may increase worldwide across populations. Moreover, mental disorders (such as anxiety and depression), perceived stress and negative coping strategies will increase due to uncertainty (e.g., financial uncertainty, job uncertainty), actual experience of negative life events or loss of social relations (isolation from friends and families). Physical inactivity and poor mental health constitute major disease bur-dens in health systems. › The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes 3.2 million deaths each year to physical inactivity and sedentarism. Physical activity and regular exercise can protect mind and body against ill health. Therefore, during pandemic lockdowns, people should stay physically active and engage in regular exercise as far as pos-sible to avoid risk of physical and mental ill health and protect well-being in the long run. › In this manuscript, we briefly review the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise with special focus on mental health and well-being. Moreover, based on scientific recommendations and empirical evidence, we provide exercise interventions to support the maintenance of low-to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise across age groups during the corona pandemic. › The supervised exercise interventions were evaluated by health professionals on exercise-related and psychological dimensions (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, motor skill-related fitness, age, exercise motivation, and exercise adherence) and are available in German and English.