The Impact of COVID-19 on the Quality of Life of Employees in One of the Iranian Government Organizations

Subject Areas : Exercise Physiology and Performance

Elham Eftekhari ¹ (Sports Medicine Research Center, Najafabad Branch Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran)
Ebrahim Astereki ² (Sports Medicine Research Center, Najafabad Branch Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran)

Received: 2023-09-04 Accepted : 2023-10-25 Published : 2023-12-01

Keywords: quality of life, Physical Activity, Corona pandemic,

Abstract :

Background: The corona epidemic reduced physical activity in individuals, which is a determining factor in the physical and mental health of individuals, and is a part of the individual quality of life (QoL). This study had three aims. The first was comparing the Body Mass Index (BMI) and QoL of employees in a government organization before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, second evaluating how the BMI and QoL of the employees were affected by their PA levels (1.5, 3, or more than 4.5 h/w) and their occupation type (OT) (line, staff, or research), and third assess the BMI and QoL of the employees after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic based on their PA levels and OT. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, and the statistical population was the employees of a public organization. The data of this study were collected between 1398 and 1400, by using QoL Questionnaire were analyzed. Fifty active subjects (35.26 ±3.06 yr.) participated in this study. The t-test, Wilcoxon, F-test, ANCOVA Wilcoxon) as statistical analysis (P<0.05). Results: In the first stage, significant differences were observed in weight, BMI, and environmental health, and a significant decrease in QoL. In the second stage, a significant increase in mental health was observed in people who had 3 or more than 4.5 h/w of exercise before beginning Corona (p <0.05). The third aim is the environmental health significantly increased (PA) < 4.5 h/w, based on OT in three groups, but a significant decrease in social relationships (OT) in Group S, a decrease in QoL (PA) < 4.5 h/w, and, based on OT in three groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of physical activity in maintaining QoL and suggest that individuals should pay attention to performing PA in accordance with environmental conditions.

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