Stress and Physical Activity in COVID-19 Exploratory Study (SPACES)

The COVID-19 pandemic presents many concerns, including stress. Physical activity (PA) can help decrease stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and PA levels of U.S. adults. Mixed-methods data were collected from adults (N = 464, 73.3% female, 87.5% white) examining levels of stress and PA, as well as changes in PA and various factors that impacted PA. A decrease in PA habits was reported by 55.3% during the lockdown period and by 48.6% currently when compared to pre-pandemic. Nearly half of participants (41.8%) met recommended PA guidelines, and experienced moderate levels of perceived stress. Significant differences in stress were found for those who indicated the pandemic altered current exercise compared to pre-pandemic (F(2,362) = 3.67, p = 0.026, [eta-squared] = 0.020), and among stress levels for those who met both, one, or neither cardio or muscular strength PA guidelines (F(2,456) = 4.97, p = .007, [eta-squared] = 0.021). Additionally, 225 participants provided open-ended responses; qualitative themes identified include change of exercise environment, increased or decreased frequency of PA, psychological changes, and change in PA intensity or type. During the pandemic, most respondents experienced changes in PA; decreases in PA were associated with loss of access to PA spaces during lockdown or psychological changes such as negative mood state or lack of motivation.