The recommendations are clear:physical activity is good for mental health. But it also depends on how varied it is. That's what a new study by researchers at the University of Basel shows, pointing to one of the reasons well-being suffers during the pandemic.
Walking in the morning, jogging in the evening or even just shopping:activity helps the psyche. Many are trying to stay active during the pandemic, despite working from home and limited leisure activities. Others feel they are moving significantly less than before the pandemic, as previous daily activities have been banned due to measures taken against the spread of Covid-19. Against this background, a study led by Professor Andrew Gloster of the University of Basel provides an indication of the potential impact of restricted movement patterns.
It is known from various studies that exercise not only promotes physical but also mental health. However, these were mainly focused on the influence of intentional exercise programs. “In contrast, little was known about whether everyday, naturally chosen exercise patterns also influence mental health,” explains Gloster.
To investigate, he and researchers from the University Psychiatric Clinics in Basel collected GPS data from 106 patients with mental disorders who agreed to participate. For this, the study participants were given extra smartphones that they had with them for a week. This allowed the researchers to track their movements without disrupting the patients' daily routine. The research team then compared the exercise data with studies of the participants' well-being and symptoms of their mental illness.
The results showed that the more people moved and the more varied their movements, the greater their sense of well-being. However, no influence on the symptoms could be determined. “Our results suggest that activity alone is not enough to reduce symptoms of mental disorders, but may at least improve subjective well-being,” explains Gloster.
“While the data was collected before the pandemic, the results are also relevant in light of the constraints during the coronavirus crisis,” he adds. As many social and recreational activities were discontinued during that time, many people's physical activity patterns probably also became more monotonous. Several studies by research groups at the University of Basel have shown that the pandemic was taking its toll on the psyche of the population. The results of the team led by Gloster suggest that restricted movement patterns may also play a role here.
