The Effects of Elderly Physical Leisure Activities on Mental Health: Focusing on Comparison Before and After COVID-19

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study was to compare physical leisure activities and mental health among the elderly (65 years or older) before and after COVID-19, and to explore the effects of physical leisure activities on mental health. Methods We analyzed elderly participants aged 65 years or older. The participants were divided into a pre-COVID group and a post-COVID group, and the effects of physical leisure activities on mental health were analyzed. The two groups were compared using the t-test and chi-square test. The effects of physical leisure activities on mental health were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Results Apart from educational level, there were no significant differences in general characteristics between the pre- and post-COVID groups. Physical leisure activities were increased post-COVID compared to pre-COVID (P<.000), but mental health showed no significant differences between the two groups. When we analyzed the effects of physical leisure activities on mental health, we observed a decrease in perceived stress associated with walking in the pre-COVID group and with moderate physical activity and weekly walking in the post-COVID group (P<.000). Similarly, we observed that group with depressive mood was more likely to engage in physical leisure activities in the pre-COVID and in the post-COVID group (p<0.05). Conclusion Physical leisure activity had positive effects on mental health in the elderly, and the effect was greater after COVID than it was before COVID. Our findings demonstrate that physical leisure activities can have positive effects on mental health during a pandemic like COVID-19. Thus, we propose that, even after the pandemic, it will be essential to continue developing and supporting diverse physical leisure activity programs.