The Impact of Physical Education Classes on Health and Quality of Life during the COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being and the quality of life of college students participating in physical education classes. We consider this study to be relevant because during the COVID-19 pandemic we tested whether the boost in effective activity among physical education class participants affected well-being and quality of life. A sectional questionnaire survey was conducted across Taiwan in 2019–2020. Data were collected in two stages within 6 months from a sample of 1011 university students in Taiwan (328 male, 683 female). A series of one-way ANOVAs was adopted to examine each outcome across groups and time phases. The results provide support for a positive relationship between well-being (β = 0.25, p p < 0.001), supporting our expectations. Findings from our study suggest that physical activity was positively associated with mental health; and participation in physical activity had an effect on the well-being and quality of life in college students.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• physical activity
• mental health
• health behaviors
• college student