Behavior of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with subjective well-being and mental health in university students in Chile

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the physical activity and psychological health of university students. Objective: To analyze the physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with subjective well-being and mental health in university students in Chile. Method: Cross-sectional study in a sample of 469 students from different Chilean universities (67.4% women, M = 21.7 SD = 2.45 years). The physical activity, subjective well-being and mental health was measured. Results: Students who maintained a physically active behavior before and during the pandemic presented higher subjective well-being (men: p = 0.020; and women p <0.0001) than those who were physically inactive before and during the pandemic (women M = 4 , 84, SD = 1.64; men M = 4.46, SD = 1.27). Women who became physically inactive during the pandemic had fewer negative affective experiences than women who were inactive before the pandemic (F(3,293)=3.118, F=0.026). Mental health symptoms were reported less frequently in physically active than inactive students. Conclusions: Students who were physically active before and during the pandemic showed better indicators of subjective well-being and mental health than those who were physically inactive or became physically inactive during the pandemic. Physical activity should be promoted in higher education, due to its potential protective effect in managing psychological consequences during a pandemic crisis.