Physical Exercise as a Resilience Factor to Mitigate COVID-Related Allostatic Overload


Author: Ajandek Eöry1,2, Dora Békési3, Ajandok Eöry4, Sandor Rózsa5,6

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Division of Integrative Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, ajandekeory@gmail.com.

<sup>2</sup> Hungarian Acupuncture and Moxibustion Society, Budapest, Hungary, ajandekeory@gmail.com.

<sup>3</sup> Rácz Károly Clinical Medicine PhD School Semmelweis University Hungary, Budapest, Hungary.

<sup>4</sup> Hungarian Acupuncture and Moxibustion Society, Budapest, Hungary.

<sup>5</sup> Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Budapest, Hungary.

<sup>6</sup> Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Conference/Journal: Psychother Psychosom
Date published: 2021 May 8
Other:
 Volume ID: 90   ,  Issue ID: 3   ,  Pages: 200-206   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1159/000514331.   ,  Word Count: 274  
    Introduction:

The long-lasting threat of COVID-19 makes it necessary to explore strategies to improve coping skills which enable us to master a balanced life in the face of adversity.



Objective:

To unravel the most challenging aspects of COVID-19 in a nonclinical adult population and identify predictors of lost balance and consequent allostatic overload (AO). We examined the role of regular, moderate-intensity formula aerobic exercise (312 meridian exercise) in preventing allostatic overload through increasing well-being.



Methods:

An online survey was conducted to measure CO-VID-related allostatic overload according to clinimetric criteria. The Psychosocial Index (PSI), Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ), short Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), Public Health Surveillance Well-Being Scale -(PHS-WB), and Whiteley-7 were used to explore mental health characteristics. Univariate statistics logistic regression analysis and a general linear model were used.



Results:

According to 442 valid answers, 217 adults practiced physical exercise (PE) frequently (fPE, 3-5 times/every day) while 120 did it less regularly (1-2 times/week), and 105 did not exercise/practiced irregularly (controls). Restriction-related stressors were most challenging, resulting in AO in 29% (n = 128) of the sample. The main predictors were additional stressors (p = 0.005) and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001). The prevalence of AO was lower (p = 0.018) in the fPE group when compared to controls. KSQ distress symptoms were also lower in fPE (p < 0.0001), while total well-being was increased (p < 0.001) after adjusting for sex, age, and number of chronic diseases. According to the PHS-WB, both physical and mental well-being were higher (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively) in fPE.



Conclusions:

Frequent moderate exercise is associated with better mental and physical well-being and a lower prevalence of AO.



Keywords: 312 meridian exercise; Allostatic overload; Physical exercise; Resilience; Well-being.



PMID: 33691321 DOI: 10.1159/000514331