The Perceived Stress Levels During COVID-19 Quarantine Periods and Physical Activity and Exercise

Abstract

Social life disruption diminished the physical activity and isolation at home caused psychological stress on people during the coronavirus outbreak. This study applied the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Five hundred forty-three participants voluntarily completed the online questionnaire. The additional questions were asked to participants such as age, gender, educational status, spent time for physical activity or exercise, and isolation status. The perceived stress level and Insufficient Self-Efficacy perception (ISE) as a sub-factor of PSS were found statistically significant among the activity level groups. When compared to isolation status, the not isolated group showed a higher perception of stress (PSS total score, ISE, and SDP values) than partial and isolated groups except for SDP in partial isolated groups value. The findings of this study revealed that during isolation days which limiting energy expenditure and increasing mentally stress exercise and physical activity could be effective in decreasing perceived stress.