Physical activity and mental health in Thai elderly people during the COVID-19 lockdown

Mini-Oral Presentation A3.4

Authors

  • Yaowapa Trangan Mahidol University
  • Piyawat Katewongsa Mahidol University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.445

Keywords:

Elderly, Physical Activity, Mental Health, COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Background: It has been suggested that physical activity (PA) was involved in several neurotransmitters in the brain which may affect poor mental health of the elderly. Purpose: To study the association between sufficient PA and mental health in Thai elderly people. Methods: Sample was 60 years and over comprised 302 respondents from the relaxation of the curfew period and 117 respondents from the curfew enforcement period during Covid-19 pandemic were included in the analysis. GPAQ (V2.0), were used to measure PA in both periods. Sufficient MVPA for older adults was defined based on the recommendation of 75 mins of vigorous PA and/or 150 mins of moderate per week. Rating scales questionnaire was used to assess the mental health. Results: There is no different in age, gender, education, career, and underlying diseases in these two study groups. The level of MVPA in Thai elderly during the relaxation of the curfew were significantly different form the curfew enforcement period (p<.0205) with a reduction in the cumulative minutes of MVPA from 428 min to 237 min, respectively. The mental health during the curfew enforcement period also was significantly different from the relaxation of the curfew period (p<.0001). These reductions of MVPA were significantly associated with worse mental health during the curfew enforcement (B=-0.191, p=0.039). Conclusions: PA reduction was associated with the worse mental health in Thai elderly during the curfew enforcement, suggesting that MVPA should be promoted.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Trangan, Y., & Katewongsa, P. (2021). Physical activity and mental health in Thai elderly people during the COVID-19 lockdown: Mini-Oral Presentation A3.4. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.445

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