Using digital platform for physical activity practice attenuated the trajectory of depressive symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic: Findings of the PAMPA cohort

Digital platforms (e.g., Facebook®, YouTube®) were a potential alternative for supporting physical activity (PA) practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the association between the use of digital platforms for PA practice and the trajectory of depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults. We analyzed data from the PAMPA cohort, a longitudinal study in southern Brazil. Participants (n = 663) were asked about the type of platform (social media, streaming, fitness app) they used for PA during the pandemic. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were examined in waves June 2020 (wave one) to June 2022 (wave four). Participants were mostly female (79.5%), with a mean age of 37.6 (SD: 13.5) years. Four in ten adults (n = 271) reported use of digital platforms for physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using digital platforms for PA was associated with a faster decline in depressive symptoms over follow-up. Participants who used digital platforms for PA in wave two showed less frequent depressive symptoms in wave three compared to their counterparts. The use of streaming services and WhatsApp for PA practice were associated with a faster decline in depressive symptoms during the pandemic. There was no interaction between the use of digital platforms and anxiety symptoms. Using digital platforms for PA practice was associated with an attenuated trajectory of depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults. •Digital platforms for physical activity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic.•Streaming services and WhatsApp for physical activity were associated with less frequent depressive symptoms.•The number of days and difficulty using digital platforms were unrelated to the trajectory of any symptoms.