COVID-19 Quarantining, social isolation, and lockdowns are all necessary public health measures, but they might have unintended consequences, such as less time spent being physically active. Whether or not these shifts are linked to variations in physiological or psychological well-being is little understood. Researchers collected self-reported demographic, health, and walking (only at follow-up) data from 2,042 persons in primary care who had multiple chronic health conditions between September 2017 and December 2018 (baseline) and March 2020 and February 2021 (follow-up). They looked at variations in the mental and physical health summary scores from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 in relation to the self-reported amount of time spent walking relative to pre-pandemic levels. This correlation was evaluated using multivariate linear regression that factored in demographic, health, and geographical variables. In a survey of 2,042 people, just 9% said they walked more than usual, 28% said they walked less, and 52% said they walked the same amount as before the pandemic. Nearly 1/3rd of people said they walked less because of the outbreak. As shown by multivariate analyses, reducing or eliminating walking was linked with deterioration in both mental (ß = 1.0; 95% CI [1.6, 0.5]) and physical (ß = 0.9; 95% CI [1.5, 0.3]) health. Walking more often was associated with improved health (ß = 1.3; 95% CI [0.3, 2.2]). These results highlight the value of walking during the COVID-19 epidemic. Limits imposed to prevent the spread of disease should take into account efforts to encourage physical exercise. Primary care physicians can assist patients in improving their physical and emotional health by monitoring their walking habits and suggesting short-term interventions.
Source: jabfm.org/content/early/2022/09/01/jabfm.2022.AP.220090
