The Impact of Online Learning on Physical and Mental Health in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yu-Hsiu Chu and Yao-Chuen Li
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Yu-Hsiu Chu: Department of Physical Therapy, China Medical University, No. 100, Section 1, Jingmao Road, Beitun District, Taichung City 406040, Taiwan
Yao-Chuen Li: Department of Physical Therapy, China Medical University, No. 100, Section 1, Jingmao Road, Beitun District, Taichung City 406040, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-10

Abstract: Higher education organizations have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. During school closures, online teaching and learning has become a new routine that may lead to changes in lifestyles and adversely affect university students’ health. Therefore, this study was to understand the potential impact of online learning on physical and mental health by investigating the differences in physical activity, psychological distress, and student life stress in Taiwanese university students between the in-class learning and online learning periods. A total of 181 students were recruited from a local university. All participants were requested to complete an online survey and self-report physical activity, psychological distress, and life stress in the in-class learning and online learning periods, respectively. The results indicated a significant reduction in physical activity of various intensities ( p < 0.05). Specifically, male university students showed a greater decrease in vigorous physical activity compared to their female peers. Yet, there was no significant increase in psychological distress and life stress from the in-class learning period to the online learning period. In summary, physical activity drastically reduces during the online learning period in Taiwanese university students. Notably, male students may be at greater risk of insufficient participation in vigorous physical activity.

Keywords: COVID-19; learning; physical activity; psychological distress; student life stress; emerging adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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