Long-term impact of COVID -19 on children’s physical activity

Purpose: The WHO provided guidelines on physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SED) behaviour for children (WHO, 2020). The emergency pandemic situation and related restrictions that the population has experienced since February 2020 has greatly changed the habits and time spent on extracurricular sports (Stockwell, 2021). Methods: The study was designed as a school-based controlled trial targeting primary schoolchildren and has been carried out between November 2019 and December 2020. 121 subjects attending the first and second years of primary school were involved. The assessment was performed three times, November 2019 (Nov19), October 2020 (Oct20) and December 2020 (Dec20). PA level and SED habits in leisure time was evaluated using 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) questionnaire (Weston, 1997), filled out by the parents of the subjects. During the first assessment the surrounding reality was in a condition of normality for what concerns the socio-sanitary situation. The second monitoring was carried out during the resumption of activities following a general lockdown period. The last one was carried out during a period of partial lockdown characterized by the full suspension activities of gyms, swimming pools and sports centers. Results: On average, less than half (39,1%) of children undertook the recommended 60 min of PA and all children spent more than 2 h (285 min) each day in SED activities. During the period of restrictions, children carried out alternative activities in the domestic context, which resulted in a reduction of sedentariness (Nov19: 304 ± 40, Oct20: 273 ± 40, Dec20: 278 ± 41 min; p,0001), but also in a net reduction of vigorous activities (Nov19: 25 ± 27, Oct20: 33 ± 31, Dec20: 9 ± 14 min; p,0001). Conclusions: The pandemic situation has changed the extracurricular habits of children. Ensuring children can access to indoor or outdoor non-structured vigorous physical activities, and parents’ support are important prerequisites for enabling children to practice healthy movement behaviours during lockdown