Authors
Hamid Najafipour1, Mohadeseh Shojaei Shahrokhabadi2, Hamid Reza Nasri3 , Ebrahim Movali4 ,Mitra Shadkam5
Affiliations
Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Affiliations
1. Physiology Research Center, Institute Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2. Gastroentrology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical
Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3. Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, and Shafa Hospital, Kerman University of Medical
Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4. Clinical Research Center, Shafa Hospital, Afzalipour Medical Faculty, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
5. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical
Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak imposed serious mental pressure on people worldwide.
This study aimed to assess the effect of the two-month quarantine enforced at the beginning of
the outbreak on physical activity (PA), sleep, and anxiety in inhabitants of Kerman.
Methods: The present study was conducted on 911 subjects randomly selected and interviewed
twice: Before the COVID-19 outbreak (Feb 2020) and at the end of two- month quarantine. The
level of anxiety was measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), PA by the Global Physical
Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and daily sleep hours were reported by participants.
Results: A high percentage of people experienced a decrease in PA (39.6%), an increase in sleep
hours (33.7%), and an increase in anxiety (16.3%) during the quarantine. Women, young people,
students, and illiterate people were more susceptible to increased level of anxiety; and women,
young people, hypersomniac people, and people with higher education levels experienced lower
PA. Furthermore, the odds of an increase in sleep hours was higher in men and young people
and lower in people with intense PA and higher levels of anxiety. The changes in the three
variables were mostly related to the quarantine, although interaction between PA and sleep was
also present.
Conclusion: The quarantine caused hypersomnia, a decrease in PA, and an increase in anxiety
level especially among young people and women. As these are also risk factors of cardiovascular
diseases, it is suggested that health authorities encourage an active lifestyle in the public and
provide them with economic and psychological supports during the quarantine.
Keywords: COVID-19, Quarantine, Outbreak, Anxiety, Physical activity, Sleep hours