Journal article
The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on human psychology and physical activity; a space analogue research perspective
International Journal of Astrobiology, Vol.21(1), pp.32-45
2022
Abstract
Introduction:
Astronauts will encounter isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) conditions during future missions, and will have to be able to adapt. Until recently, however, few places on Earth could serve as acceptable space analogues (i.e., submarine and polar regions). The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related lockdowns around the globe provided a good opportunity to obtain more comprehensive datasets on the impact of prolonged isolation on human functioning in a very large sample.
Methods:
Seven hundred forty-eight individuals (Belgium 442, Spain 183, Germany 50, Italy 50, US 23; Mean age ± SD: 41 ± 14 years, with an age range of 18–83 years; 66% women) filled out an online survey assessing the impact of the COVID-lockdown on psychological, exercise and general health variables a first time near the beginning of the initial lockdown (hereafter ‘T1’; 24 ± 13 days after the start of the first lockdown; i.e., 3 weeks after the start of the first lockdown) and a second time a couple of weeks thereafter (hereafter ‘T2’; 17 ± 5 days after the first online survey; i.e., 6 weeks after the start of the first lockdown).
Results:
From T1 to T2 an improvement of subjective sleep quality was observed (P = 0.003), that was related to an increase in subjective sleep efficiency and a decrease in sleep latency and disturbance (P ≤ 0.013). Weekly sitting time decreased, and the weekly amount of moderate and vigorous physical activity increased from T1 to T2 (P ≤ 0.049). No differences from T1 to T2 were observed in terms of mood, loneliness and state anxiety. A lower amount of sitting time was significantly correlated with improved subjective sleep quality (r = 0.096, P = 0.035) and with an increased amount of moderate (r = −0.126, P = 0.005) and vigorous (r = −0.110, P = 0.015) physical activity.
Conclusion:
Compared to 3 weeks into the first COVID-imposed lockdown, 6-weeks after the start of the first COVID-imposed lockdown, physical activity and subjective sleep scores were positively impacted. The present, large sample size study further confirms exercise as a worthwhile countermeasure to psycho-physiological deconditioning during confinement.
Details
- Title
- The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on human psychology and physical activity; a space analogue research perspective
- Authors
- Jeroen Van Cutsem (Corresponding Author) - Vrije Universiteit BrusselVera Abeln (Author) - German Sport University CologneStefan Schneider (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Sport Sciences - LegacyNathan Keller (Author) - Texas A&M UniversityAna Diaz-Artiles (Author) - Texas A&M UniversityMiguel A Ramallo (Author) - Universidad de CádizEmilie Dessy (Author) - Royal Military AcademyNathalie Pattyn (Author) - Vrije Universiteit BrusselFabio Ferlazzo (Author) - Sapienza University of RomeGabriel G De La Torre (Author) - Universidad de Cádiz
- Publication details
- International Journal of Astrobiology, Vol.21(1), pp.32-45
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- DOI
- 10.1017/S1473550421000409
- ISSN
- 1475-3006
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99603407902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Biology
- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
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