Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia
The COVID-19 outbreak and svift policy response affected the everyday lives of youth in Serbia, challenging their mental well-being. Aiming to examine the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and mental well-being of adolescents during the strictest lockdown in Serbia, in Apr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Exercise and Quality of Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.eqoljournal.com/article/233 |
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| author | Višnja Đorđić Miroslav Marković Svetlana Mirčić Vukobrat Anita Čikić |
| author_facet | Višnja Đorđić Miroslav Marković Svetlana Mirčić Vukobrat Anita Čikić |
| author_sort | Višnja Đorđić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 outbreak and svift policy response affected the everyday lives of youth in Serbia, challenging their mental well-being. Aiming to examine the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and mental well-being of adolescents during the strictest lockdown in Serbia, in April 2020, we analyzed data collected through the national online survey (N = 3089). According to the self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), participants were divided into three groups: 1) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes every day; 2) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes on 4-6 days per week; and 3) engaged in the same amount of MVPA on 0-3 days per week. Mental well-being measures included life satisfaction, self-rated health, and health complaints. An one-way ANOVA detected a significant effect of adolescents’ PAL on their life satisfaction, F(3,27) = 49.64, p = 0.000. The Tukey test showed that the mean life satisfaction was significantly higher in the most active group (M = 8.66, SD = 1.56) than in the moderately active group (M = 8.27, SD = 1.56), and the least active group (M = 7.93, SD = 1.76). The chi-square tests revealed significant associations between adolescents’ PAL and health complaints; less active adolescents were more likely to experience symptoms like headache, nervousness, feeling low, irritability, sleep difficulties, and dizziness (p ≤ 0.00). They also experienced multiple health complaints more frequently and self-rated their health less favorably. Therefore, physical activity should be promoted as a protective factor for adolescents’ mental well-being, particularly in emergencies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-85dcce4c2487415ea6ddd020279fa014 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1821-3480 2406-1379 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Exercise and Quality of Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-85dcce4c2487415ea6ddd020279fa0142025-01-14T11:17:34ZengUniversity of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sport and Physical EducationExercise and Quality of Life1821-34802406-13792024-12-0116210.31382/eqol.241203Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in SerbiaVišnja Đorđić0Miroslav Marković1Svetlana Mirčić Vukobrat2Anita Čikić3University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute for the Improvement of Education, Belgrade, Serbia“Sveti Sava” Elementary School, Kikinda, SerbiaCommunity Health Center, Novi Sad, Serbia The COVID-19 outbreak and svift policy response affected the everyday lives of youth in Serbia, challenging their mental well-being. Aiming to examine the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and mental well-being of adolescents during the strictest lockdown in Serbia, in April 2020, we analyzed data collected through the national online survey (N = 3089). According to the self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), participants were divided into three groups: 1) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes every day; 2) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes on 4-6 days per week; and 3) engaged in the same amount of MVPA on 0-3 days per week. Mental well-being measures included life satisfaction, self-rated health, and health complaints. An one-way ANOVA detected a significant effect of adolescents’ PAL on their life satisfaction, F(3,27) = 49.64, p = 0.000. The Tukey test showed that the mean life satisfaction was significantly higher in the most active group (M = 8.66, SD = 1.56) than in the moderately active group (M = 8.27, SD = 1.56), and the least active group (M = 7.93, SD = 1.76). The chi-square tests revealed significant associations between adolescents’ PAL and health complaints; less active adolescents were more likely to experience symptoms like headache, nervousness, feeling low, irritability, sleep difficulties, and dizziness (p ≤ 0.00). They also experienced multiple health complaints more frequently and self-rated their health less favorably. Therefore, physical activity should be promoted as a protective factor for adolescents’ mental well-being, particularly in emergencies. https://www.eqoljournal.com/article/233COVID-19studentsprimary schoolsecondary schoolphysical activitymental health |
| spellingShingle | Višnja Đorđić Miroslav Marković Svetlana Mirčić Vukobrat Anita Čikić Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia Exercise and Quality of Life COVID-19 students primary school secondary school physical activity mental health |
| title | Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia |
| title_full | Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia |
| title_fullStr | Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia |
| title_short | Physical activity and mental well-being of adolescents: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 lockdown in Serbia |
| title_sort | physical activity and mental well being of adolescents lessons learned from the covid 19 lockdown in serbia |
| topic | COVID-19 students primary school secondary school physical activity mental health |
| url | https://www.eqoljournal.com/article/233 |
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