Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic started with a total shutdown of in-person public schools and the end of team sports for middle school students. Preliminary research surrounding the change in physical activity during the pandemic has shown a large decrease in rates of adequate exercise recommended by the World Health Organization (Ammar et al., 2020). The present study investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on middle schoolers’ physical activity and mental well-being. The researchers hypothesized that COVID-19 has caused a decrease in the levels of physical activity in early adolescents. Those with higher levels of physical activity were predicted to have higher scores on mental well-being measurements. The final hypothesis was that access to social opportunities like participating in sports teams and being with friends would be associated with higher mental well-being scores, as opposed to those with less social interaction. To analyze emotional well-being, researchers used the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale to compare students’ social behaviors. The sample included 18 participants between the ages of 12- 14. The present research showed no significant change in physical activity levels. Students were more likely to be motivated for exercise if they reported feeling happy. Socialization with friends increased mental well-being scores and feelings of happiness. These findings add to the developing literature surrounding the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on adolescents' physical activity by showing that happiness increases physical activity motivation, and socialization increases happiness.

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