Related Articles Physical activity mental health and well being of adults during initial COVID 19 containment strategies A multi country cross sectional analysis J Sci Med Sport 2020 Dec 03 Authors Faulkner J O Brien WJ McGrane B Wadsworth D Batten J Askew CD Badenhorst C Byrd E Coulter M Draper N Elliot C Fryer S Hamlin MJ Jakeman J Mackintosh KA McNarry MA Mitchelmore A Murphy J Ryan Stewart H Saynor Z Schaumberg M Stone K Stoner L Stuart B Lambrick D Abstract OBJECTIVES To assess physical activity PA mental health and well being of adults in the United Kingdom UK Ireland New Zealand and Australia during the initial stages of National governments Coronavirus disease COVID 19 containment responses DESIGN Observational cross sectional METHODS An online survey was disseminated to adults n 8 425 44 5 14 8y residing in the UK Ireland New Zealand and Australia within the first 2 6 weeks of government mandated COVID 19 restrictions Main outcome measures included Stages of Change scale for exercise behaviour change International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form World Health Organisation 5 Well being Index and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 9 RESULTS Participants who reported a negative change in exercise behaviour from before initial COVID 19 restrictions to during the initial COVID 19 restrictions demonstrated poorer mental health and well being compared to those demonstrating either a positive or no change in their exercise behaviour p 0 001 Whilst women reported more positive changes in exercise behaviour young people 18 29y reported more negative changes both p 0 001 Individuals who had more positive exercise behaviours reported better mental health and well being p 0 001 Although there were no differences in PA between countries individuals in New Zealand reported better mental health and well being p 0 001 CONCLUSION The initial COVID 19 restrictions have differentially impacted upon PA habits of individuals based upon their age and sex and therefore have important implications for international policy and guideline recommendations Public health interventions that encourage PA should target specific groups e g men young adults who are most vulnerable to the negative effects of physical distancing and or self isolation PMID 33341382 PubMed as supplied by publisher