Confirming one of the biggest worries about lockdowns, a German-led research team found that stay-at-home government orders lead to a 40 per cent dip in physical activity and tripled depression risk, in a study of more than 13,500 participants.
The research team of 20 scientists from 14 countries warned of a risk of a ‘pandemic within the pandemic’ and asked governments to be prepared for the long-term health repercussions.
For the study, participants logged their mental and physical health details before and during the pandemic-related restrictions in April/May 2020. It was observed that while moderate exercise like brisk walking or cycling decreased by an average of 41 per cent, vigorous exercise fell by 42 per cent.
The decline in activity was the steepest in people over 70 years of age, who reported 56 to 67 per cent less activity than before.
Additionally, 73 per cent of the volunteers said their well-being deteriorated during the lockdown and only 14 to 20 per cent reported their health getting better at home.
In short, people said they felt “less active and low on energy” and led a life “less filled with interesting things" during the first lockdown phase.