Online Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Associations with Psychological Factors: An International Exploratory Study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore specific online behaviours and their association with a range of underlying psychological and other behavioural factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight countries (Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Portugal, Japan, Hungary, and Brazil) participated in an international investigation involving 2223 participants (M = 33 years old; SD = 11), 70% of whom were females. Participants were surveyed for specific type of Internet use severity, appearance anxiety, self-compassion, and image and use of performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs). Results were compared cross-culturally. The mean time spent online was 5 h (SD = ±3) of daily browsing during the pandemic. The most commonly performed activities included social networking, streaming, and general surfing. A strong association between these online behaviours and appearance anxiety, self-compassion, and IPEDs use was found after adjustment for possible confounders, with higher scores being associated with specific online activities. Significant cross-cultural differences also emerged in terms of the amount of time spent online during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Well-Being, Exercise Routines, and the Intake of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Comparison Across Sport Disciplines.

Introduction: Physical distancing under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on lifestyles, including exercise routines. In this study, we examined the relationship between mental health and addictive behaviors, such as excessive exercise and the use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) across 12 sport disciplines. Materials and methods: A large cross-sectional sample of the adult population (N = 2,295) was surveyed. The mean age was 33.09 (SD = 11.40). The number of male participants was 668 (30.0%). The use of IPEDs was assessed in conjunction with psychometric measures such as the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) and the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI). The participants were grouped into activity group (AG) and non-activity group (NAG) according to the presence or absence of their exercise habits. The results were compared between these groups, as well as across sport disciplines, while taking into account the relationship between different psychological measures and IPEDs consumption. Results: The frequency of IPEDs use was higher among AG (34.6%) than NAG (14.6%), although AG participants reported less history of addictions (7.1%) than NAG (11.8%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that scores equal to or above cutoff points, in both the EAI and AAI, predicted the IPEDs use. Regarding the differences across the various sport disciplines, those who were involved in practicing Weight Lifting and Cross Fit were found to be more at risk of excessive exercising and more inclined to use a wide range of IPEDs. Conclusions: Although exercise could help to increase well-being and prevent addictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, our results show that those in the AG are particularly vulnerable to excessive IPEDs use. Sport disciplines associated with higher EAI and AAI scores have also shown a higher tendency to excessive IPEDs use. Furthermore, the factor of having above the cutoff scores in EAI or AAI in each sport could indicate larger IPEDs consumption regardless of the discipline. In light of the current findings, it is necessary to better define the "non-excessive" levels of exercise in various sport disciplines and an adequate intake of IPEDs to ensure the safety and well-being of people during a pandemic.

Exercise and Use of Enhancement Drugs at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicultural Study on Coping Strategies During Self-Isolation and Related Risks.

Introduction: Little is known about the impact of restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on self-image and engagement in exercise and other coping strategies alongside the use of image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) to boost performance and appearance. Objectives: To assess the role of anxiety about appearance and self-compassion on the practice of physical exercise and use of IPEDs during lockdown. Methods: An international online questionnaire was carried out using the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) in addition to questions on the use of IPEDs. Results: The sample consisted of 3,161 (65% female) adults from Italy (41.1%), Spain (15.7%), the United Kingdom (UK) (12.0%), Lithuania (11.6%), Portugal (10.5%), Japan (5.5%), and Hungary (3.5%). The mean age was 35.05 years (SD = 12.10). Overall, 4.3% of the participants were found to engage in excessive or problematic exercise with peaks registered in the UK (11.0%) and Spain (5.4%). The sample reported the use of a wide range of drugs and medicines to boost image and performance (28%) and maintained use during the lockdown, mostly in Hungary (56.6%), Japan (46.8%), and the UK (33.8%), with 6.4% who started to use a new drug. Significant appearance anxiety levels were found across the sample, with 18.1% in Italy, 16.9% in Japan, and 16.7% in Portugal. Logistic regression models revealed a strong association between physical exercise and IPED use. Anxiety about appearance also significantly increased the probability of using IPEDs. However, self-compassion did not significantly predict such behavior. Anxiety about appearance and self-compassion were non-significant predictors associated with engaging in physical exercise. Discussion and Conclusion: This study identified risks of problematic exercising and appearance anxiety among the general population during the COVID-19 lockdown period across all the participating countries with significant gender differences. Such behaviors were positively associated with the unsupervised use of IPEDs, although no interaction between physical exercise and appearance anxiety was observed. Further considerations are needed to explore the impact of socially restrictive measures among vulnerable groups, and the implementation of more targeted responses.

Medición mediante acelerometría de los niveles de actividad física de una muestra de adolescentes españoles / Measurement by accelerometry of physical activity levels in a sample of Spanish adolescents

RESUMEN Objetivos Conocer la relación existente entre el nivel de práctica de actividad física y el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2 máx.); y analizar el nivel de práctica de AF y su relación con el género, la localidad de residencia, el porcentaje que suponen las clases de Educación Física (EF) en dicha práctica y el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Métodos Participaron 89 sujetos de la provincia de Salamanca (España), de 12 a 16 años (14±1,18 años), siendo el 55,1% (n=49) hombres y el 44,9% (n=40) mujeres. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: acelerómetro Actigraph GT3X; Test Course Navette; monitor de composición corporal Tanita MC780MA; y se recogió información sobre el género y la localidad de residencia. Resultados Únicamente, el 18% de los sujetos cumplía con las recomendaciones mínimas de AF, establecidas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Los chicos y los sujetos de localidades urbanas realizaban mayor cantidad total de AF. Los sujetos con menor IMC y los de género masculino poseían mejores niveles de VO2 máx. Y las clases de EF no contribuyeron de manera sustancial al total de AF semanal. Conclusiones Estos resultados pueden considerarse relevantes, con el fin de orientar programas específicos de fomento de la AF y de prevención del sobrepeso y la obesidad en adolescentes, haciendo hincapié en la población femenina, del ámbito rural y aquella con mayor IMC.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objectives To establish the relationship between the level of physical activity (PA) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max.); and to analyze the level of PA and its relationship with sex, place of residence, influence of physical education (PE) classes in PA, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. Materials and Methods 89 subjects from the province of Salamanca (Spain), aged 12 to 16 (14±1.18 years), participated in the study; 55.1% (n=49) of the sample were men and 44.9% (n=40) women. The instruments used were: Actigraph GT3X accelerometer, Course Navette Test and Tanita Body Composition Analyzer MC780MA. Information on sex and place of residence was also collected. Results Only 18% of the individuals met the minimum PA recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Males and subjects from urban areas performed greater amounts of physical activity. Subjects with lower BMI and of the male sex had better levels of VO2max. PE classes did not contribute substantially to the total weekly amount of PA. Conclusions These results can be considered relevant to develop specific programs that promote PA and prevent overweight and obesity in adolescents, making emphasis on the female population, people from rural areas and those with higher BMI.(AU)

RESUMO OBJETIVOS Estabelecer a relação entre o nível de atividade física (AF) e o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO 2 máx.); e analisar o nível de AF e sua relação com o sexo, local de residência, influência das aulas de educação física (EP) na AF e índice de massa corporal (IMC) em adolescentes. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS 89 sujeitos da província de Salamanca (Espanha), com idades entre 12 e 16 anos (14 ± 1,18 anos), participaram do estudo; 55,1% (n = 49) da amostra eram homens e 44,9% (n = 40) mulheres. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: acelerômetro Actigraph GT3X, teste Course Navette e analisador de composição corporal Tanita MC780MA. Também foram coletadas informações sobre sexo e local de residência. RESULTADOS Apenas 18% dos indivíduos cumpriram as recomendações mínimas de AF estabelecidas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Homens e indivíduos de áreas urbanas realizavam maiores quantidades de atividade física. Indivíduos com menor IMC e sexo masculino apresentaram melhores níveis de VO 2 máx. As aulas de EF não contribuíram substancialmente para a quantidade semanal total de AF. CONCLUSÕES Esses resultados podem ser considerados relevantes para o desenvolvimento de programas específicos que promovam AF e previnem sobrepeso e obesidade em adolescentes, enfatizando a população feminina, pessoas da zona rural e aquelas com maior IMC.

[Measurement by accelerometry of physical activity levels in a sample of Spanish adolescents]. / Medición mediante acelerometría de los niveles de actividad física de una muestra de adolescentes españoles.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the relationship between the level of physical activity (PA) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max.); and to analyze the level of PA and its relationship with sex, place of residence, influence of physical education (PE) classes in PA, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 89 subjects from the province of Salamanca (Spain), aged 12 to 16 (14±1.18 years), participated in the study; 55.1% (n=49) of the sample were men and 44.9% (n=40) women. The instruments used were: Actigraph GT3X accelerometer, Course Navette Test and Tanita Body Composition Analyzer MC780MA. Information on sex and place of residence was also collected. RESULTS: Only 18% of the individuals met the minimum PA recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Males and subjects from urban areas performed greater amounts of physical activity. Subjects with lower BMI and of the male sex had better levels of VO2max. PE classes did not contribute substantially to the total weekly amount of PA. CONCLUSIONS: These results can be considered relevant to develop specific programs that promote PA and prevent overweight and obesity in adolescents, making emphasis on the female population, people from rural areas and those with higher BMI.

OBJETIVOS: Conocer la relación existente entre el nivel de práctica de actividad física y el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2 máx.); y analizar el nivel de práctica de AF y su relación con el género, la localidad de residencia, el porcentaje que suponen las clases de Educación Física (EF) en dicha práctica y el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). MÉTODOS: Participaron 89 sujetos de la provincia de Salamanca (España), de 12 a 16 años (14±1,18 años), siendo el 55,1% (n=49) hombres y el 44,9% (n=40) mujeres. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: acelerómetro Actigraph GT3X; Test Course Navette; monitor de composición corporal Tanita MC780MA; y se recogió información sobre el género y la localidad de residencia. RESULTADOS: Únicamente, el 18% de los sujetos cumplía con las recomendaciones mínimas de AF, establecidas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Los chicos y los sujetos de localidades urbanas realizaban mayor cantidad total de AF. Los sujetos con menor IMC y los de género masculino poseían mejores niveles de VO2 máx. Y las clases de EF no contribuyeron de manera sustancial al total de AF semanal. CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados pueden considerarse relevantes, con el fin de orientar programas específicos de fomento de la AF y de prevención del sobrepeso y la obesidad en adolescentes, haciendo hincapié en la población femenina, del ámbito rural y aquella con mayor IMC.