Back to school after lockdown: The effect of COVID-19 restrictions on children's device-based physical activity metrics

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and national lockdowns took away opportunities for children to be physically active. This study aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on accelerometer-assessed physical activity (PA) in children in Wales.MethodsEight hundred participants (8–18 years old), stratified by sex, age, and socio-economic status, wore Axivity AX3 accelerometers for 7 days in February 2021, during the lockdown, and in May 2021, while in school. Raw accelerometer data were processed in R-package GGIR, and cut-point data, average acceleration (AvAcc), intensity gradient, and the acceleration above which the most active X minutes are accumulated (MX) metrics were extracted. Linear mixed models were used to assess the influence of time-point, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) on PA.ResultsDuring lockdown, moderate-to-vigorous PA was 38.4 ± 24.3 min/day; sedentary time was 849.4 ± 196.6 min/day; mean ± SD. PA levels increased significantly upon return to school (all variables p < 0.001). While there were no sex differences during lockdown (p = 0.233), girls engaged in significantly less moderate-to-vigorous PA than boys once back in school (p < 0.001). Furthermore, boys had more favorable intensity profiles than girls (intensity gradient: p < 0.001), regardless of time-point. PA levels decreased with age at both time-points; upper secondary school girls were the least active group, with an average M30 of 195.2 mg (while in school).ConclusionThe lockdown affected boys more than girls, as reflected by the disappearance of the typical sex difference in PA levels during lockdown, although these were re-established on return to school. Upper secondary school (especially girls) might need specific COVID-recovery intervention.     

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity of the Thai population:Evidence from Thailand's Surveillance on Physical Activity 2020

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted the physical activity (PA) of the Thai population. This study examined the...     

Coronavirus disease(COVID-19):The need to maintain regular physical activity while taking precautions

The on-going Coronavirus disease(COVID-19)outbreak in China has become the world's leading health headline and is causing major panic and public concerns.On January 30,2020,the World Health Organization(WHO)declared that the new coronavirus outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.1 The virus has already had a direct impact on more than 10 million people in the city of Wuhan and has reached other parts of China as well,posing a health threat of unknown magnitude globally.As of February 8,2020,WHO reported 34,886 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally,with 34,589 of them occurring in China(including 6101 severe cases and 723 deaths).A total of 288 other confirmed cases(with 1 death)have been reported in 24 countries,including Japan,Australia,Germany,and United States.2 However,these daily estimates are expected to rise even higher as reports from health authorities in China3 are gathered and near real-time updates of the Johns Hopkins virus dashboard are made 4 The outbreak has caused governments in various countries to take swift and protective measures.In China,these included putting cities on lockdown,5 implementing travel wamings/bans and cancellations,6 extending national holidays,and closing schools and postponing classes7.     

No independent associations between physical activity and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19

BackgroundRegular physical activity (PA) has been postulated to improve, or at least maintain, immunity across the life span. However, the link between physical (in)activity and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains to be established. This small-scale prospective cohort study is nested within a randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the possible associations between PA levels and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.MethodsHospitalized patients with COVID-19 (mean age: 54.9 years) were recruited from the Clinical Hospital of the School of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (a quaternary referral teaching hospital) and from Ibirapuera Field Hospital, both located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. PA level was assessed using the Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay. The secondary outcomes were mortality, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mechanical ventilation requirement.ResultsThe median hospital length of stay was 7.0 ± 4.0 days, median ± IQR; 3.3% of patients died, 13.8% were admitted to the ICU, and 8.6% required mechanical ventilation. Adjusted linear regression models showed that PA indices were not associated with hospital length of stay (work index: β = –0.57 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): –1.80 to 0.65), p = 0.355; sport index: β = 0.43 (95%CI: –0.94 to 1.80), p = 0.536; leisure-time index: β = 1.18 (95%CI: –0.22 to 2.59), p = 0.099; and total activity index: β = 0.20 (95%CI: –0.48 to 0.87), p = 0.563). None of the PA indices were associated with mortality, admission to the ICU, or mechanical ventilation requirement (all p > 0.050).ConclusionAmong hospitalized patients with COVID-19, PA did not independently associate with hospital length of stay or any other clinically relevant outcomes. These findings should be interpreted as meaning that, among already hospitalized patients with more severe forms of COVID-19, being active is a potential protective factor likely outweighed by a cluster of comorbidities (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, weight excess) and older age, suggesting that the benefit of PA against the worsening of COVID-19 may vary across stages of the disease.     

The role of the interface of sport and tourism in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

This feature editorial discusses the role of the interface of sport and tourism in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key concepts are set out as context for discussion under two headings. Under Sports Fixtures and Events: a parochial attitude to cancelling major sports events; the impact of recreated and relived sports events on wellbeing; the response of sports audiences to live sport behind closed doors. Under Activity, Movement and Travel: the appetite and provision for outdoor activity during lockdown, and the role of a sense of movement; the factors that might lead to observed increases in sustainable modes of travel being sustained post-lockdown. Lessons and questions for future research, policy and provision are discussed, and the potential is identified for activities at the interface of sport and tourism to make significant contributions to outcomes and policy goals for wellbeing, physical health, mental health, and in supporting green space and sustainable travel as a response to the climate crisis. A challenge is set for managers, administrators and researchers working at the interface of sport and tourism to look outwards beyond their own development concerns, and recognise and accept both a responsibility and an opportunity to make these contributions. The feature editorial concludes with an invitation for researchers to take up the challenge of submitting research to the Journal of Sport & Tourism that either focuses on the contribution to the COVID-19 response, or that explores contributions that can be made to wider social, economic and health outcomes and policy goals.     

Physical fitness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of annual national physical fitness surveillance among 16,647,699 Japanese children and adolescents between 2013 and 2021

BackgroundLimited nationally representative evidence is available on temporal trends in physical fitness (PF) for children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The primary aim was to examine the temporal trends in PF for Japanese children and adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary aim was to estimate the concurrent trends in body size (measured as body mass and height) and movement behaviors (exercise, screen, and sleep time).MethodsCensus PF data for children in Grade 5 (aged 10–11 years) and adolescents in Grade 8 (aged 13–14 years) were obtained for the years 2013–2021 from the National Survey of Physical Fitness, Athletic Performance, and Exercise Habits in Japan (n = 16,647,699). PF and body size were objectively measured, and movement behaviors were self-reported. Using sample-weighted linear regression, temporal trends in mean PF were calculated before the pandemic (2013–2019) and during the pandemic (2019–2021) with adjustments for age, sex, body size, and exercise time.ResultsWhen adjusted for age, sex, body size, and exercise time, there were significant declines in PF during the pandemic, with the largest declines observed in 20-m shuttle run (standardized (Cohen's) effect size (ES) = −0.109 per annum (p.a.)) and sit-ups performance (ES = −0.133 p.a.). The magnitude of the declines in 20-m shuttle run and sit-ups performances were 18- and 15-fold larger, respectively, than the improvements seen before the pandemic (2013–2019), after adjusting for age, sex, body size, and exercise time. During the pandemic, both body mass and screen time significantly increased, and exercise time decreased.ConclusionDeclines in 20-m shuttle run and sit-ups performances suggest corresponding declines in population health during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Effects of a remote,YouTube-delivered exercise intervention on young adults’physical activity,sedentary behavior,and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic:Randomized controlled trial

Background:Public health guidelines have called for innovative and flexible physical activity(PA)intervention strategies to promote PA and health amid the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Therefore,this study’s purpose was to examine the effects of a home-based,YouTube-delivered PA intervention grounded in self-determination theory on young adults’free-living PA,sedentary behavior,and sleep quality(NCT04499547).Methods:Sixty-four young adults(48 females;age=22.8±3.4 years,mean±SD;body mass index=23.1±2.6 kg/m²)were randomized(1:1)into the intervention group,which received weekly aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA videos,or control group,which received weekly general health education videos,for 12 weeks.Our primary outcome was free-living moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA)and our secondary outcomes were sedentary behavior,light PA,and sleep quality(measured using ActiGraph accelerometers)along with muscle-strengthening PA frequency,self-determination theory-related motivation(non-regulation,external regulation,introjected regulation,identified regulation,integrated regulation,and intrinsic regulation),and perceived PA barriers(assessed using validated questionnaires).Repeated measures analysis of variances(ANOVAs)examined between-group differences at an adjusted significance level of 0.004 and effect sizes as partial eta-squared(η;).Results:We observed statistically significant interaction effects for MVPA,sleep efficiency,muscle-strengthening PA frequency,non-regulation,integrated regulation,intrinsic regulation,and perceived PA barriers(F(1,62)=10.75-77.67,p<0.001-0.002,η_p²=0.15-0.56)with all outcomes favoring the intervention group.We observed no statistically significant differences in either group for sedentary behavior,light PA,sleep duration,or external,introjected,and identified regulations after 12 weeks(F(1,62)=1.11-3.64,p=0.06-0.61).Conclusion:With national COVID-19 restrictions still in place and uncertainty regarding post-pandemic PA environments and behaviors,a remote,YouTube-delivered PA intervention may help foster clinically meaningful improvements in young adults’free-living MVPA,musclestrengthening PA frequency,sleep efficiency,PA-related intrinsic motivation,and perceived PA barriers.     

Physical activity and nutrition guidelines to help with the fight against COVID-19

ABSTRACT

As the world is witnessing the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019, emerging genetics and clinical pieces of evidence suggest a similar immunopathology to those of severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome. Staying at home to prevent the spread of the virus and consequently being largely inactive is associated with unintended consequences. These can actually enhance the infection risk and exacerbate poor health conditions including impaired immune function. Physical activity is a feasible way of improving health, particularly physical and mental health in a time of social isolation. However, people with certain health conditions in these circumstances may need a special physical activity programme in addition to any exercise they may already be performing via online programmes. This review aims to provide practical guidelines during the COVID-19 quarantine period. We suggest performing aerobic, resistance training, respiratory muscle training and yoga in the healthy, and in those with upper respiratory tract illness, patients with lower respiratory tract illness should be restricted to respiratory muscle training and yoga. In addition, vitamins D and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and regular consumption of fruit and vegetables might be considered as nutritional aids to support the immune system in those affected by COVID-19.     

运动员感染新冠病毒后恢复训练的研究综述

运动员感染新型冠状病毒会对身体机能与运动能力产生明显的影响。在新毒株仍然流行于世界范围内的背景下,如何帮助运动员安全、快速地恢复训练是当前竞技体育面临的实践需求。通过总结新冠病毒感染对运动能力、心理和营养状况的影响,归纳恢复训练的原则和如何分期训练,首次提出针对我国运动员在康复后进行评估、科学监控及心理和营养干预的措施,为体育工作者制定与实施恢复训练计划提供参考,力图以此为起点推进我国运动员感染新冠病毒后恢复训练的进一步科学研究。     

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. children

BackgroundDaily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is vital to the physical, mental, and social well-being of children. Early restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic included the closure of schools and physical activity (PA) amenities across the US. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic on the PA and play behavior of U.S. children and to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve their PA.MethodsA cross-sectional, online, parent-reported survey was conducted of children aged 3–18 years between April and June 2020 to assess light PA and MVPA using a modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Additional items included family/child socioeconomic demographics, child adaptability to the pandemic, and community access. The survey was shared through social media and snowball sampling distribution.ResultsAnalysis of 1310 surveys indicated child PA scores declined significantly during the pandemic (from 56.6 to 44.6, max 119, p < 0.001). Specifically, MVPA score decreased (from 46.7 to 34.7, max 98, p < 0.001) while light PA remained the same. Age-based changes were seen in the quantity, variety, and intensity of PA, with the lowest pandemic-related impact seen in preschoolers and the highest in high schoolers (–4.7 vs. –17.2, p < 0.001). Community-based peer PA decreased across all age groups.ConclusionThis study shows decreased PA levels in U.S. children, according to parent reporting, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations for community leaders, educators, and parents to improve PA in children are provided. With continued spread of COVID-19, these results and recommendations may be imperative to the physical well-being of U.S. children.     

以新冠肺炎之殇触发体育锻炼机遇

2019新冠肺炎疫情给国家系统带来灾难,却为国民体育锻炼系统摒除了阻碍因素,同时引发外部大量优质体育锻炼信息有效触达国民,成为体育锻炼系统一个有利的教育、传播和发展机遇。据此提出:认清局面,有计划、有目的地扩大优质信息资源流入,增强国民锻炼意识;通过加大教育渗透、创设时间和空间上易获得通路、丰富可参与项目群落、发挥团体互助优势、鼓励居家简易参与等方式,做好疫后锻炼意识和行为的巩固加强准备,借助突发事件推动国家全民健身事业的发展。     

Canadian children's and youth's adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic: A decision tree analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to use decision tree modeling to generate profiles of children and youth who were more and less likely to meet the Canadian 24-h movement guidelines during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.MethodsData for this study were from a nationally representative sample of 1472 Canadian parents (Mean_age = 45.12, SD = 7.55) of children (5–11 years old) or youth (12–17 years old). Data were collected in April 2020 via an online survey. Survey items assessed demographic, behavioral, social, micro-environmental, and macro-environmental characteristics. Four decision trees of adherence and non-adherence to all movement recommendations combined and each individual movement recommendation (physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep) were generated.ResultsResults revealed specific combinations of adherence and non-adherence characteristics. Characteristics associated with adherence to the recommendation(s) included high parental perceived capability to restrict screen time, annual household income of ≥ CAD 100,000, increases in children's and youth's outdoor PA/sport since the COVID-19 outbreak began, being a boy, having parents younger than 43 years old, and small increases in children's and youth's sleep duration since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Characteristics associated with non-adherence to the recommendation(s) included low parental perceived capability to restrict screen time, youth aged 12–17 years, decreases in children's and youth's outdoor PA/sport since the COVID-19 outbreak began, primary residences located in all provinces except Quebec, low parental perceived capability to support children's and youth's sleep and PA, and annual household income of ≤ CAD 99,999.ConclusionOur results show that specific characteristics interact to contribute to (non)adherence to the movement behavior recommendations. Results highlight the importance of targeting parents’ perceived capability for the promotion of children's and youth's movement behaviors during challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, paying particular attention to enhancing parental perceived capability to restrict screen time.     

Children's physical activity and physical self-perceptions

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical self-perceptions and physical activity in Canadian school children aged 10–14 years. The sample consisted of 220 boys and 246 girls in grades 5–8. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day recall using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Selfperceptions of physical conditioning, sports competence, strength, body appearance and general physical selfworth were measured by the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP). We found that boys were more physically active than girls and had higher perceptions of sport competence and strength. All PSPP scales were significantly correlated with physical activity in both boys and girls. Structural equation modelling procedures found the hierarchical PSPP model provided a good fit to the observed data, with little evidence of diff erences between the sexes. Analysis of five alternative structural models of the relationship between the PSPP and physical activity found the most parsimonious model to have significant pathways from both physical conditioning and sport skills to physical activity. Models for the sample as a whole, for boys and for girls were similar, accounting for an R 2 of 0.27–0.29 for physical activity. Our results demonstrate that physical self-perceptions, especially physical conditioning and sport skills, are significant correlates of activity in this population.     

Children's physical activity and physical self-perceptions

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical self-perceptions and physical activity in Canadian school children aged 10-14 years. The sample consisted of 220 boys and 246 girls in grades 5-8. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day recall using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Self-perceptions of physical conditioning, sports competence, strength, body appearance and general physical self-worth were measured by the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP). We found that boys were more physically active than girls and had higher perceptions of sport competence and strength. All PSPP scales were significantly correlated with physical activity in both boys and girls. Structural equation modelling procedures found the hierarchical PSPP model provided a good fit to the observed data, with little evidence of differences between the sexes. Analysis of five alternative structural models of the relationship between the PSPP and physical activity found the most parsimonious model to have significant pathways from both physical conditioning and sport skills to physical activity. Models for the sample as a whole, for boys and for girls were similar, accounting for an R2 of 0.27-0.29 for physical activity. Our results demonstrate that physical self-perceptions, especially physical conditioning and sport skills, are significant correlates of activity in this population.     

寄宿制中学课外体育活动形式的研究——以学生体育协会活动为主体的课外体育活动的探索

学校课外体育活动的组织与管理是学校体育工作的重要环节，寄宿制中学的学生上学期间都在学校度过，在校时间长，余暇时间相对较多。传统的以班级为组织形式的课外体育活动又由于统的过死，活动内容单调，引不起学生的活动兴趣。在文献资料的基础上提出打破年级界限，组织师生一同的体育协会，学生参与体育协会活动的形式替代传统的课外体育活动，通过2年的尝试取得了良好的效果。     

The global physical inactivity pandemic: an analysis of knowledge production

In July 2012, The Lancet announced a pandemic of physical inactivity and a global call to action to effect change. The worldwide pandemic is said to be claiming millions of lives every year. Asserting that physical inactivity is pandemic is an important moment. Given the purported scale and significance of physical inactivity around the world, this research examines how the pandemic is rhetorically constructed and how various solutions are proposed. We apply a governmentality perspective to examine the continuity, coherence and appropriateness of ideas about physical activity. The analysis demonstrates that within The Lancet, there is disunity about what is known about physical activity, problematic claims of ‘abnormality’ and contradictions in the proposed deployment of a systems approach to solve the problem. The article concludes by suggesting that as knowledge produced about physical activity grows, scholars need to beware of nostalgic conceptions of physical activity, account for the immense diversity of lived experiences which do not abide by idealistic recommendations and consider more rigorously contentious claims about physical activity programme effects.     

新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情对体育赛事发展的影响研究

体育赛事对体育产业发展具有重要的引领作用。以体育赛事基本特征和现阶段发展状况为出发点,围绕新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情(下文简称“新冠肺炎疫情”)对体育赛事发展带来的危害和机遇展开研究。研究认为:新冠肺炎疫情从赛事经济损失、办赛主体经营、重大赛事筹办、全球赛事产业链、赛事管理服务等方面给体育赛事发展带来危害;同时在拓展体育赛事市场、实现体育场馆多功能价值、凸显赛事在城市治理中的作用、转变赛事商业运作模式上存在的机遇;面对危害和机遇,应以提升体育赛事管理服务水平、发挥体育社会组织功能和作用、科学部署重大赛事筹备工作、办赛主体全力开展自救、加强疫后体育赛事长期跟踪研究等方面为着力方向。     

布依族学生身体形态机能动态分析

为了了解和掌握布依族学生体质变化规律,利用1991年和2000年全国学生体质与健康调研所获得的数据,对布依族学生身体形态和机能进行9年动态观察、对比和分析研究。结果表明:9年间布依族学生发育指标均随年龄的增长而递增;7~12岁男女学生身体形态和机能指标有所提高,而13~18岁男女生呈负增长的发展趋势。面对布依族学生形态机能呈负增长趋势,建议有关部门采取有效的干预措施以提高布依族学生的体质。