Kathiravel, YKhullar, SFitzpatrick, JTaylor, MElliot, CatherineHamlin, Michael2023-04-122023-02-082023-01-162022-05-212703-240Xhttps://hdl.handle.net/10182/16018In 2020, the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic which put an unprecedented strain on health care workers. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the Australian and New Zealand lockdowns on physical activity, depression, and anxiety in medical doctors. We hypothesized that during stressful times such as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, physical activity would have a positive effect on the mental health of medical doctors. Convenience sampling (using mass emailing via professional networks including medical associations) and snowball sampling were used during the early period of COVID-19 government mandated restrictions (25 March to 27 April 2020) in New Zealand and Australia. All registered medical doctors working in New Zealand and Australia were eligible to participate in the survey. The short survey collected information demographics, levels of physical activity and mental health using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire: Short Form and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42. Of 469 participants who completed the survey, over 81% met the recommended physical activity levels (150 minutes of at least moderate-intensity physical activity/week). Physically inactive New Zealand and Australian medical doctors reported significantly higher depression (p = 0.006), anxiety (p = 0.008) and stress (p = 0.002) scores compared to their active counterparts. This study demonstrated that less physical activity was associated with higher anxiety and depression in medical doctors. A key recommendation from this study is to incorporate greater access to physical activity in healthcare settings for medical doctors.pp.27-34© 2021 SESNZ. All Rights Reserved.physical activitysedentarinessworkplace stressJournal Article10.36905/jses.2023.01.042703-240X2023-03-15ANZSRC::420799 Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classifiedANZSRC::350507 Workplace wellbeing and quality of working lifeANZSRC::420605 Preventative health careANZSRC::520104 Industrial and organisational psychology (incl. human factors)ANZSRC::520304 Health psychology