Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health of Elementary School Children During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract We analyzed relationship between physical activity and mental health using physical activity level with Tri-axial accelerometers, salivary cortisol and mental health for elementary school children during COVID-19 pandemic. The participants of this study were 32 students enrolled in an elementary school in Kyoto city,and the survey was conducted for three weeks including weekends. Physical activity [Step count (SC),Sedentary time (ST), which included sleep duration, Light-intensity physical activity (LPA),and Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)] was recorded for two weeks using a tri-axialaccelerometers. Stress hormone (cortisol) obtained from saliva was analyzed to assess stress andcollected by the participants themselves at home one hour before bedtime. At the same time as saliva collection, mental health was evaluated using the Mental Health Checklist for Children, which is comprised of four factors: Physical Symptoms, Depression-Anxiety, Irritability-Anger, and Helplessness. The results showed that the mental stress level was not so high during the study time period. However, significant and negative correlations were confirmed between ST and Irritability-Anger in the second and third weeks, as well as a tendency for a negative correlation between ST andHelplessness in the third. In addition, at the second and third weeks, a positive correlation was shown between light intensity physical activity (LPA) and the Irritability-Anger and Helplessness. The results suggested that the temporary increase in ST may have functioned to control the Irritability- Anger and Helplessness feelings. This is specific to COVID-19, as the results of the children in this study differ from previous studies examining ST and mental health in adults.