Atividade física, ansiedade e depressão antes e durante a pandemia da COVID-19 nos usuários do projeto Vida Ativa de Pelotas/RS

Abstract

This study aimed to describe physical activity (PA), anxiety and depression symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in participants of the Vida Ativa Project, and to verify the association between PA and anxiety and depression symptoms. This was a cross sectional study, census type, carried out in January of 2021 in Pelotas, RS. Data were gathered mostly by telephone interviews. The population was composed by 911 individuals, of which 96.2% were women and 76.8% aged more than 45 years old. Before pandemics, 49.6% stated practicing PA 1 or 2 times a week, while during the pandemic 41.1% reported not practicing PA at all. The most frequently practiced PA before pandemic was “ritmos”/dance (50.7%) and gymnastics (22.9%), whilst during pandemic walking was the most practiced PA (41.0%). Anxiety symptoms were described by 26.6% and 51.8% before and during pandemic, respectively. Depression symptoms increased from 10.8% before to 32.1% during the pandemic. Lower PA scores were observed in the subgroup classified as moderate/severe depression before and during pandemic. In conclusion, leisure-time PA was negatively affected during pandemic in participants of the Vida Ativa Project, as well as anxiety and depression symptoms.