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Happy Mind, Active Body: Mental Wellbeing Helped Older Adults Stay Active During Pandemic

A positive mindset may be the secret weapon for maintaining an active lifestyle during challenging times, according to groundbreaking Finnish research that tracked how mental wellbeing influenced physical activity patterns during COVID-19 restrictions. The study reveals a fascinating age-dependent relationship between mental outlook and exercise habits among older adults.

The research, published in BMC Public Health, examined how different aspects of mental wellbeing affected physical activity in two distinct age groups during pandemic restrictions. The findings suggest that psychological factors played different roles depending on age, with positive emotions proving particularly beneficial for younger seniors.

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä studied 434 participants aged 60-88 years, tracking both their mental state and physical activity patterns. The study included two cohorts: one group of 60-61 year olds and another of adults aged 72-88.

“It was interesting to observe that the link between positive affectivity and physical activity was more consistent in individuals around the age of 60 than in those over 70,” says Tiina Savikangas, the study’s postdoctoral researcher. She notes that differing pandemic restrictions may explain some of this variation: “In Finland, no curfew was declared but the older participants faced stricter restrictions compared to working-age individuals, which may have reduced the role of positive mental wellbeing on physical activity.”

The research uncovered that participants who reported higher levels of positive emotions were significantly more likely to maintain or even increase their physical activity during lockdown restrictions. For those in their early 60s, positive affect was associated with a 208% higher likelihood of increased physical activity during the pandemic, even after accounting for other factors.

However, the picture was markedly different for those over 70. In this group, depressive symptoms emerged as the strongest predictor of reduced physical activity. Those reporting higher levels of depressive symptoms were both less likely to be physically active and 32% more likely to reduce their activity levels during restrictions.

“Supporting mental wellbeing is crucial for promoting a physically active lifestyle, even in societal emergencies,” Savikangas explains. “However, the focus should not only be on preventing depressive feelings but also on strengthening the positive side of mental wellbeing.”

The study’s findings suggest a potential virtuous cycle: while previous research has demonstrated that physical activity improves mental wellbeing, this new evidence indicates that positive mental states may help maintain active lifestyles during challenging circumstances.

The research team collected data through a combination of surveys and interviews, examining not just activity levels but also participants’ emotional states, socioeconomic factors, and health conditions. Among younger participants, data was gathered between April 2020 and July 2021, while older adults were surveyed during the height of restrictions between April and June 2020.

Notably, the study found that negative emotions alone weren’t strongly linked to reduced activity when considered alongside other factors. Instead, depressive symptoms – which can include physical manifestations like disturbed sleep and loss of appetite – emerged as a more comprehensive predictor of reduced activity.

These findings could have significant implications for public health strategies, particularly during future crises. They suggest that mental health support should be considered an integral part of maintaining physical health, especially among older populations facing activity restrictions.

The research was conducted as part of two larger studies at the Gerontology Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, involving 162 participants aged 60-61 and 272 participants aged 72-88. The work was funded by the Academy of Finland and adds to a growing body of evidence about the intricate connections between mental and physical wellbeing in older adults.


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