Resilience During Challenging Times

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What is the most difficult question I ask my patients?

“What do you like to do for fun?”

Like clockwork, each patient furrows their brow in a state of confusion which is immediately followed by a wide-eyed stare into space as they engage in a moment of self-reflection. A smirk usually comes across their face before they wittingly respond, “before or after the pandemic?”

COVID-19 has undoubtedly forced many people out of their daily routines. One major change involved how people fit in time for structured exercise routines or other physical activity. Before the pandemic, the gym was a popular gathering place for fitness enthusiasts looking to accomplish personal health goals or blow off some steam from a long day of work. Small bouts of physical activity were also scattered throughout the day walking to and from work, around the office, up and down stairs, etc. As work from home became the norm, the world was no longer a giant playground, and many were limited to the confines of their own residence. Commutes became significantly shorter (or non-existent) and sedentary time increased drastically. In order to maintain activity levels prior to the pandemic, people had to adjust their routine fitness activities.

A study by Kaur (2020) showed the adjustments some people made throughout the lockdown phase of the pandemic. Initially, the overall sentiment of the 22 participants showed a “negative situational perception and a lack of motivation for fitness exercise (Kaur, 2020).” As the lines blurred between one’s personal and professional life, mental health impairments manifested themselves “in the form of increased anxiety, stress, and depression (Kaur, 2020).” Such sudden and drastic changes resulted in a significant decrease in all levels of physical activities, a 28% increase in daily sitting time, and an increase in unhealthy pattern[s] of food consumption (Kaur, 2020). Fitness center and outdoor park closures no longer served as outlets from the strains of daily life, and health-related goals shifted accordingly.

Before COVID-19, this group of 22 individuals was working out on a daily basis ranging from 1-3.5 hour workouts at their local gym. Exercises consisted of endurance training, strength training, and static stretching. During the lockdown phase, participants were only working out 3-4 days a week ranging from 1-1.5 hours in the comforts of their own home. As weights became a hot commodity and nearly impossible to find, the type of exercise began to focus on high-intensity workouts with available equipment (jump ropes, makeshift weights, etc.). After the lockdown and with government restrictions in place, the frequency increased to between 5-6 days weekly for 30 minutes to 1 hour in duration and took place in the comforts of home or at outdoor facilities. Yoga and meditation became much more popular, along with walking and jogging, while some maintained their high-intensity training.

This article highlights how people progressed and adjusted through the stages of the pandemic, and how their exercise regimen coincided with their psychological perception of the circumstances. It also discusses how social media usage and music played a role in their desires to engage in physical activity. The individual quotations provided by various participants are sentiments that many of my patients could relate to. They have all been facing numerous challenges during this pandemic, but the resilience of many has shown through brighter as they continue to press forward when it seems like everything is going against them. Keep setting goals and celebrate the little victories!

Resources:

Kaur, H., Singh, T., Arya, Y.K., & Mittal, S. (2020). Physical Fitness and Exercise During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Enquiry. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590172

About the Author:

Mark Wassmer was born and raised in San Diego and earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Biology from UC Davis in 2013. After graduating, Mark worked at UC Davis Sports Medicine and investigated several projects, including the effects of cooling technology on elite cyclists in extreme heat conditions and the effects of an ACL injury prevention protocol on youth athletes. In 2016, he graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology (Exercise Science concentration) and studied the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation vs. traditional rehabilitation on quadriceps muscle strength after total knee arthroplasty. In his free time, Mark runs a non-profit project that provides the gift of play to children in underprivileged communities around the world, with his most recent trip taking him to three orphanages in rural Vietnam and influencing hundreds of kids.

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