General anxiety and depression are associated with the physical activity and social interaction levels: Study in Argentinean university students during the COVID-19 outbreak.

BARBUZZA A; BENEDETTI P; GOYENECHE C; REPPUCCI V; MOSCATO F; KATCHE C; MEDINA J H; MONCADA D; VIOLA H; BALLARINI F

virtual

Congreso; Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias; 2021

Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias

Our study shows that University students of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area in Argentina had values of GAD and depression that correlated in a linear and positive way in two different time periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, longitudinal analysis revealed that GAD and depression levels decreased after a valley in the infection level during a minimum of reported deaths. The analysis also revealed that a frequency of physical activity higher than twice a week is associated with a decrease in the average score of these emotional states. It also suggested that a higher social interaction is associated with decreased levels of GAD and depression. Based on our results, which are added to a plethora of studies carried out around the world, we argue that governments should consider the importance of physical exercise and the social interactions in mental health, and therefore implement policies to promote these activities under health safety standards, such as social distancing in open spaces, to restrict the viral propagation.