Effects of aerobic and strength training on depression, anxiety, and health self-perception levels during the COVID-19 pandemic

T.S. da Costa, A. Seffrin, J. de Castro Filho, G. Togni, E. Castardeli, C.A. Barbosa de Lira, R.L. Vancini, B. Knechtle, T. Rosemann, M.S. Andrade

Physiology Department, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. beat.knechtle@hispeed.ch

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• Infectious Diseases
• Physical Therapy

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at comparing the depression and anxiety levels, and health self-perception during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among subjects who practice aerobic, strength, and mixed (aerobic and strength) exercises and nonsports participants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 304 Brazilians of both sexes in this cross-sectional study. All participants were recruited through online advertisement and completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding the personal information, level of restriction adopted, physical activity, and mood state screening (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7). We divided the participants into four groups: strength sports group (CrossFit or strength training), aerobic/endurance sports groups (running, cycling, triathlon, or swimming), mixed sports groups (individuals who practice endurance and strength sports), and nonsports group.

RESULTS: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant effect of the group on the depression and anxiety levels. Meanwhile, the post-hoc comparisons showed a significantly lower depression level in the mixed and aerobic sports groups than in the strength sports and nonsports groups, and a significantly lower anxiety level in the mixed and aerobic sports groups than in the nonsports group. Furthermore, participants in the mixed, strength, and aerobic sports groups presented a better level of health self-assessment than the nonsports group, and those in the mixed sports group had a better level of health self-assessment than the strength or aerobic sports groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals practicing aerobic exercises present lower depression and anxiety levels than those practicing strength training and are inactive. However, individuals who practice strength exercises and aerobics have the best levels of health perception.

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