The Effect of Covid -19 Pandemic Social distancing on Physical Activity and Mood State of Isfahan citizens

Government action during the Covid 19 pandemic have placed many restrictions on daily life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of social distance plan in the conditions of Corona virus on physical activity and mood state of the people of Isfahan citizens.

the present descriptive-analytical study that was conducted during the quarantine due to the prevalence of covid -19 disease. A total of 411 (131 males and 280 females) residents of Isfahan entered the study and completed the International online physical activity short form (GPAQ) questionnaire from April 1 to June 2, 2016. Also, a 16-item short evaluation questionnaire (POMS) was used to assess participantschr('39') moods. Analysis of variance with repeated measures, univariate analysis of variance and regression were used to answer the basic questions of this study.

a significant decrease was seen in the intensity and number of weekly sessions of physical activity in terms of social distance compared to the previous period (p = 0.001). 11.8% of the subjects reduced the duration of their training session due to social distance and increased it by 5%, while 83.2% of the subjects did not change the duration of their training session (p = 0.001). Correspondingly, people who did not change the number of weekly sessions of physical activity during the period of social distance compared to before (p = 0.001), had a better mood in the positive components and all in the negative components (p = 0.001).

While social distance is an essential measure to protect public health, the results revealed that it reduces the level of physical activity that may endanger physical and mental health. These observations have potentially important implications that can help with the recommendations for physical activity to maintain health during illness.