Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students

COVID-19 had a considerable impact on the physical activity and mental health of university students, with university students experiencing the most severe effects. Physical activity and mental health are critical for university students as they play a vital role in academic performance, overall wel...

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Main Authors: Ana Lucia Muntean, Oana Vuinov, Cornelia Popovici
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Romanian Association of Balneology, Editura Balneara 2025-03-01
Series:Balneo and PRM Research Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://bioclima.ro/Balneo792.pdf
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author Ana Lucia Muntean
Oana Vuinov
Cornelia Popovici
author_facet Ana Lucia Muntean
Oana Vuinov
Cornelia Popovici
author_sort Ana Lucia Muntean
collection DOAJ
description COVID-19 had a considerable impact on the physical activity and mental health of university students, with university students experiencing the most severe effects. Physical activity and mental health are critical for university students as they play a vital role in academic performance, overall well-being, and long-term health. Our study aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' physical health and mental well-being, focusing on how the disruption impacted both their physical activity levels and psychological health. This literature review analyzed 47 studies to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity and mental health of university students. Our findings indicate that COVID-19 lockdowns have led to several adverse effects, including concerns about inadequate nutritional intake, increased alcohol consumption, reduced physical activity, and prolonged sedentary behavior among university students. In conclusion, tailored interventions are necessary to support students' mental health and physical activity, with home-based exercises, including endurance and strength training, offering a potential solution. Future research should explore the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of virtual physical education and remote fitness interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-ca0889118ef04763b90b75fc6010d7602025-08-20T02:16:34ZengRomanian Association of Balneology, Editura BalnearaBalneo and PRM Research Journal2734-84582025-03-0116179210.12680/balneo.2025.792Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university studentsAna Lucia Muntean0Oana Vuinov1Cornelia Popovici2Department of Medical Education, Physical Education Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Physical Therapy and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, West University of Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Medical Education, Physical Education Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCOVID-19 had a considerable impact on the physical activity and mental health of university students, with university students experiencing the most severe effects. Physical activity and mental health are critical for university students as they play a vital role in academic performance, overall well-being, and long-term health. Our study aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' physical health and mental well-being, focusing on how the disruption impacted both their physical activity levels and psychological health. This literature review analyzed 47 studies to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity and mental health of university students. Our findings indicate that COVID-19 lockdowns have led to several adverse effects, including concerns about inadequate nutritional intake, increased alcohol consumption, reduced physical activity, and prolonged sedentary behavior among university students. In conclusion, tailored interventions are necessary to support students' mental health and physical activity, with home-based exercises, including endurance and strength training, offering a potential solution. Future research should explore the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of virtual physical education and remote fitness interventions.https://bioclima.ro/Balneo792.pdfcovid 19pandemicphysical activityuniversity students
spellingShingle Ana Lucia Muntean
Oana Vuinov
Cornelia Popovici
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
Balneo and PRM Research Journal
covid 19
pandemic
physical activity
university students
title Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
title_full Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
title_fullStr Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
title_full_unstemmed Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
title_short Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
title_sort impact of covid 19 pandemic on physical activity levels and mental health in university students
topic covid 19
pandemic
physical activity
university students
url https://bioclima.ro/Balneo792.pdf
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