Several studies in previously published literature have approved the positive role
of performing physical activity (PA) on mental health among university students
before COVID-19. These studies have investigated the relationship between PA
and mental health extensively under normal circumstances and have concluded
similar results. Objective: This review examines the association between PA and
mental health among university students during COVID-19. Methods: Published
literature was searched in PubMed and ScienceDirect using specific keywords,
including physical activity, university students, college students, mental health,
and COVID-19. This review data synthesis included observational and
interventional studies published in English between 2020 and 2024. Results: Seven
studies investigated the relationship between PA and mental health among
university students during COVID-19, all cross-sectional and published between
2020 and 2022. During COVID-19, decreased PA and increased sedentary times
were associated with poorer mental health and higher levels of depressive
symptoms, anxiety, and stress, in addition to higher negative emotions.
However, studies have not examined the impact of increasing PA on mental
health among university students during COVID-19. Conclusion: Reducing PA
levels among university students during COVID-19 significantly impacted their
mental health. However, the effects of performing different levels of PA (low,
moderate, vigorous) on students’ mental health during COVID-19 have not been
explored yet. Therefore, researchers in future studies are recommended to cover
this knowledge gap by exploring this effect among university students.
Keywords: Physical activity, mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, university
students, COVID-19