Happy minds, active bodies: Mental health helps seniors stay active during pandemic

A positive mindset could be the secret weapon to maintaining an active lifestyle during challenging times, according to groundbreaking Finnish research, which tracks how mental health affects physical activity patterns during COVID-19 restrictions. This study reveals a fascinating age-related relationship between the psychological outlook and exercise habits of older adults.

The study, published in BMC Public Health, looked at how different aspects of mental health affected physical activity in two different age groups during pandemic restrictions. The findings suggest that psychological factors play different roles depending on age, with positive emotions proving particularly beneficial for younger older adults.

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

Tiina Savikangas, a postdoctoral researcher on the study, said: “Interestingly, the link between positive emotions and physical activity was more consistent among individuals in their 60s than in those over 70. ” She noted that different pandemic restrictions may explain the difference: “In Finland, there is no curfew, but older participants face tighter restrictions than working-age individuals, which may reduce mental health. Effect on physical activity.”

This study found that participants who reported higher levels of positive emotion were more likely to maintain or even increase their physical activity during lockdown restrictions. For people in their early 60s, the likelihood of increased physical activity during the pandemic increased by 208%, even after taking other factors into account.

However, to more than 70 people, the photo was noticeably different. In this group, depressive symptoms were the strongest predictor of reduced physical activity. Those who reported higher levels of depressive symptoms were less likely to be physically active and less likely to reduce their activity levels during restrictions.

“Supporting mental health is crucial to promoting a body-positive lifestyle, even during social emergencies,” explains Savikangas. “But the focus should not only be on preventing feelings of depression, but also on strengthening Positive aspects of mental health.”

The study’s findings suggest a potentially virtuous cycle: While previous research has shown that physical activity improves mental health, this new evidence suggests that a positive mental state may help maintain an active lifestyle during challenging situations .

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

Notably, the study found that negative emotions alone were not strongly associated with reduced activity when taken alongside other factors. Instead, depressive symptoms (which may include physical manifestations such as sleep deprivation and loss of appetite) become a more comprehensive predictor of reduced activity.

These findings could have significant implications for public health strategies, especially during future crises. They argue that mental health support should be considered an integral part of maintaining physical health, especially among older adults who face activity limitations.

The study was part of two larger studies conducted at the Center for Aging Research and the School 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 growing evidence of the complex links between mental and physical health in older people.