EXERCISE, MENTAL HEALTH AND COVID-19 - THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN TIMES OF ISOLATION, CONFINEMENT AND RESTRICTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Publication: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution - Published abstract for conference with selection processResearchpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Exercise intervention studies provide evidence for the counteracting effect on sleep and mental health, while the most efficient exercise protocol still needs to be defined. However, intervention studies turning the table by isolating and/or confining people or restricting physi- cal activity or exercise habituation are rare, but might help to develop strategies or treatments in special situations like the present COVID- 19 pandemic crises. It was hypothesized that (1) exercise participation during isolation/confinement supports, that (2) daily exercise might surpass every second day exercise and that (3) a forced stop of habitual exercise impairs sleep and mental health moderated by underlying electrocortical brain activity and endocrine parameters. METHODS: Two groups were confined and isolated for a month within the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), Johnson Space Centre Hou- ston, Texas, US. These isolated groups simulated a mission to space and executed daily (Iso-100%) or every second day (Iso-50%) exercise training alternating between biking and stretching & toning. The exercise control group (ExCTRL, N=17) followed the same daily exercise protocol as group Iso-100, while the non-exercise control group (NoExCTRL, N=10) stopped their habitual exercise training, both for a month under non-isolated conditions. Training and sleep logs, actigraphy, sleep questionnaires (SSA), affect (PANAS-X), cognitive perfor- mance, resting brain cortical activity (EEG) and morning cortisol were assessed prior, during and after intervention. Study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (NASA) and University ethic committee. Mixed model ANOVA and Bonferroni correction was used. RESULTS: Both isolated groups showed a significant increase in morning cortisol during isolation compared to baseline and after isolation (all p< .05). Iso-100% showed higher cortisol as Iso-50%, while control groups did not show any differences (group & interaction p< .001). Significant lower positive affect scores were obtained in group Iso-100 and NoExCTRL group on day 28 (time (p< .001), interaction (p= .040). EEG beta frequency activity decreased during isolation compared to pre and post especially for isolated groups (p< .05). NoExCTRL group did show increased somatic complaints and EEG alpha activity and impaired sleep and awakening quality, positive affect and cognitive performance (all p< .05), while ExCTRL remained stable in all parameters. CONCLUSION: Results support the notion that exercise training does support mental health and sleep during a month of isolation and confinement, while no difference between daily or every second day exercise regimen was found. This benefit is even more evident taking NoExCTRL group into account showing considerable deteriorations in sleep and mental health along a month of exercise abstinence. Regular exercise partic- ipation might help people to cope with extreme situations like COVID-19 crises combining restricted physical activity and isola- tion/confinement.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBook of Abstracts : 25th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science : 28th-30th October 2020
EditorsDela Flemming, Erich Müller, Elias K. Tsolakidis
Number of pages1
Place of PublicationKöln
PublisherEuropean College of Sport Science
Publication date28.10.2020
Pages192
ISBN (Print)978-3-9818414-3-5, 978-3-9818414-2-8
Publication statusPublished - 28.10.2020
EventAnnual Congress of the European College of Sport Science - Online
Duration: 28.10.202030.10.2020
Conference number: 25
  • PASS Isolation

    Abeln, V. & Schneider, S.

    01.11.1531.12.19

    Project: Funded by third parties

Citation