Levels of activity and physical condition in primary school students in the "new normality"

Abstract

The objective of the study was to explore the levels of activity and physical fitness in Primary School students during the "new normal" after confinement. 293 schoolchildren participated (Mage = 10.51; SD = 0.97), whose physical activity was measured using accelerometers and the PAQ-C questionnaire, and physical condition through the 20-m shuttle run test. In addition, pre-pandemic and post-lockdown physical activity and fitness were compared across two larger samples of schoolchildren from the same region (pre-pandemic: n = 1338, Mage = 10.50, SD = 1.09; post-lockdown: n = 1314, Mead = 10.58, SD = 1.04). The results showed levels of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle clearly far from those recommended by public health institutions and a physical condition below the 50th percentile (specifically, at the 30th percentile in both sexes). Finally, the comparison of the "new normal" stage with respect to the pre-pandemic situation, showed a decrease in the activity and physical condition of schoolchildren. The results invite us to continue investigating how the physical-sports habits of schoolchildren have been repositioned after confinement and during the "new normality", as well as to intensify efforts to promote active lifestyles in these periods of intermittent restrictions and progressive return to normal.
Keywords: Lockdown, PAQ-C, COVID-19, OBAFI, pandemic.