The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Mental Health in UK University Students

Aim: Physical activity (PA) is widely acknowledged as a cost-effective strategy to support mental health in students. However, the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptive influence raises questions about how the relationship between PA and student mental health may have evolved. Therefore, the present study explored this relationship before, during and after the pandemic. Methods: A repeated cross-sectional design was employed with survey data collected annually (2019–2022) in term one (October) at an English university. Mental well-being was evaluated using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured in 6,250 students. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation tests were used to assess the correlation between mental well-being and MVPA for each year. Results: There was a weak (r = 0.14–0.19, p < 0.001) positive correlation between mental well-being and MVPA for each year. This relationship was stronger for males compared to females in 2020 (Z = 1.02, p < 0.01) and 2022 (Z = 3.56, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The consistent correlation between mental well-being and MVPA suggests that the pandemic did not alter the discernible link between the two variables, emphasising the importance of PA for student mental health even during unprecedented circumstances.