Reduced level of physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with depression and anxiety levels: an internet-based survey.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people's general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information's was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising. RESULTS: The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (3.5 ± 0.8) was lower than that the adopted prior to the pandemic period (2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

CrossFit and the Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Prospective 12-Week Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing international popularity of CrossFit, there is a paucity of scientific evidence on the risk of CrossFit-related musculoskeletal injuries (CRMIs). PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence (cumulative incidence proportion [IP] and incidence density [ID]) of CRMIs and the association of CRMIs with personal and training characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: A prospective, 12-week descriptive epidemiology cohort study was conducted in a convenience sample of CrossFit facilities in a single Brazilian city. Printed baseline questionnaires were distributed to 13 CrossFit boxes. All participants who filled out the questionnaire and consented to participate in the study were invited to respond to an online follow-up questionnaire every 2 weeks to collect data on CrossFit training characteristics and CRMIs. A CRMI was defined as any self-reported musculoskeletal injury or pain that prevented an athlete from exercising for at least 1 day. The IP was defined as the number of new cases divided by the entire population at risk, while the ID was defined as new events divided by the total person-time exposure in hours. Logistic mixed models were developed to investigate the association of CRMIs with personal and training characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 515 CrossFit participants filled out the baseline questionnaire and provided informed consent, and 406 (78.8%) completed at least 1 follow-up measure. There were 133 participants who reported at least 1 CRMI during the study, and a total of 247 unique and new CRMIs were reported over a total estimated person-time exposure to CrossFit of 13,041 hours. The IP was 32.8% (95% CI, 28.4%-37.5%). The ID was 18.9 (95% CI, 16.6-21.3) per 1000 hours of CrossFit exposure. The shoulders (19.0%; n = 47) and lumbar spine (15.0%; n = 37) were most affected. Muscle injuries (45.3%; n = 112) and joint pain (24.7%; n = 61) were the most common CRMI types reported. Switching between prescribed and scaled down training loads (odds ratio [OR], 3.5 [95% CI, 1.7-7.3]) and previous injuries (OR, 3.2 [95% CI, 1.4-7.7]) were risk factors for a CRMI, while CrossFit experience was identified as a protective factor (OR, 0.7 [95% CI, 0.5-1.0]). CONCLUSION: In this 12-week prospective study, the ID was 18.9 CRMIs per 1000 hours of exposure; switching between training loads and previous injuries was associated with 3.5- and 3.2-fold higher odds, respectively, of sustaining CRMIs.

CrossFit®: Injury prevalence and main risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine prevalences of injuries associated with CrossFit® training and assess profiles of these injuries and the affected athletes. METHODS: Data were collected over a 12-month period using a questionnaire administered directly to practitioners at CrossFit®-affiliated fitness centers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the 414 participants, 157 (37.9%) participants reported having suffered an injury while practicing CrossFit®. RESULTS: The injury rate was 3.24 injuries per 1,000 hours of training. The probability of injury for athletes who had practiced CrossFit® for longer than 12 months was 82.2%, which was higher than the corresponding probability for beginner athletes. The probability of injury was 5-fold higher among competitive-level athletes than that among less-experienced athletes. No evidence of an association between the occurrence of injuries during CrossFit® practice and any of the following athlete characteristics was found: age, gender, practice of other sports, weight, and height. The incidence of injuries in this sports modality was similar to that in other modalities, including Olympic weight lifting (OWL), basic weight lifting, and artistic gymnastics. CONCLUSION: CrossFit® appears to be a training program that is suitable for different age groups when performed in a safe environment and with assistance from qualified professionals.