Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health of Healthcare Workers Due to Lack of General Physical Exercise

Background: The imbalance between individual resources and work demands during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to musculoskeletal disorders and reduced work ability among healthcare workers, exacerbated by reduced physical activity due to quarantine and lockdown measures. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2022 at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Participants were healthcare workers (aged 18-60 years, BMI 22-26) from various departments at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care institute in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Participants were screened via a questionnaire assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their general health and work ability. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, ischemic heart disease, stroke, or painful musculoskeletal conditions preventing exercise. Data on body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), global assessment score (GAS), and work ability index (WAI) were compared pre- and post-COVID. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Of 150 screened participants, 120 showed interest, 100 replied, and 93 were analyzed after excluding 7. The average age was 35.47 years, with the majority (62%) male and 52.6% married. Participants included 53% medical doctors, 12.9% administrative staff, and 34.1% nursing/paramedic staff. Only 35.4% engaged in regular physical exercise, with 59.1% reporting none. Post-COVID, there was a significant increase in BW and BMI, and a decrease in GAS and WAI, indicating deteriorated general health and work capacity. Comorbidities worsened in many participants. Conclusions: Isolation, lockdown, and stressful work schedules during the pandemic significantly affected healthcare workers health, leading to reduced physical activity, musculoskeletal issues, and impaired work ability. Interventions promoting physical exercise are essential.