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World J Psychiatr. Dec 19, 2021; 11(12): 1267-1273
Published online Dec 19, 2021. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i12.1267
Physical activity and mental well-being during COVID-19 pandemic
Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Gopal Nambi, Marwa M Eid, Safaa M Elkholi
Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Gopal Nambi, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
Marwa M Eid, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 26571, Saudi Arabia
Safaa M Elkholi, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
Author contributions: All authors conceptualized, designed the study, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript; Abdelbasset WK managed and supervised the literature searches; all authors reviewed and agreed to submit the final version of the manuscript.
Supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University through the Fast-track Research Funding Program.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No competing interests to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, PhD, Academic Research, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, 1 University District, Al-Kharj 11942, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. walidkamal.wr@gmail.com
Received: April 1, 2021
Peer-review started: April 1, 2021
First decision: June 17, 2021
Revised: June 27, 2021
Accepted: September 22, 2021
Article in press: September 22, 2021
Published online: December 19, 2021
Processing time: 249 Days and 9.8 Hours
Abstract

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in most nations deciding upon self-isolation and social distancing policies for their citizens to control the pandemic and reduce hospital admission. This review aimed at evaluating the effect of physical activity on mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to augmented levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 that led to cardiovascular and neurological disorders associated with highly inflammatory effects of viral infection affecting the brain tissues leading to damage of the nervous system and resulting in cognition dysfunction, insulin sensitivity reduction, and behavioral impairments. Anxiety and depression may lead to negative effects on various quality of life domains, such as being physically inactive. Regular physical activities may reduce inflammatory responses, improve ACE-2 responses, and improve mental well-being during self-isolation and social distancing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies should be conducted to assess the different intensities of physical activities on cardiovascular function, and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Physical activity; Mental well-being; Pandemic; Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2

Core Tip: The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in most nations deciding upon self-isolation and social distancing policies for their citizens to control the pandemic and reduce hospital admission. This review aimed at evaluating the effect of physical activity on mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 may lead to cardiovascular and neurological disorders associated with inflammatory effects of viral infection affecting brain tissues, leading to nervous system damage and cognitive dysfunction, insulin sensitivity reduction, and behavioral impairments. Regular physical activities may reduce inflammatory responses, improve angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 responses, and mental well-being during self-isolation and social distancing.