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Effect of the COVID-19 Emergency on Physical Function among School-Aged Children

Tadashi Ito1,2, Hideshi Sugiura2, Yuji Ito3

  • 1Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis Room, Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Okazaki 444-0002, Japan.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 emergency restrictions negatively impacted Japanese children's physical function, leading to increased body fat and falls, and reduced balance. This study highlights the detrimental effects on pediatric physical health during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The Japanese government declared a state of emergency in April 2020 due to COVID-19.
  • Schools were closed, and stay-at-home orders were implemented in April and May 2020.
  • These restrictions potentially impacted children's physical activity and health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of COVID-19-related restrictions on the physical function of Japanese children.
  • To compare physical function metrics before and after the emergency declaration.

Main Methods:

  • A before-and-after study design was employed.
  • Participants included 6-7-year-old children enrolled before and after the emergency declaration.
  • Measured outcomes included body fat percentage, single-leg standing time, Gait Deviation Index score, and history of falls.

Main Results:

  • Children in the 'after' group (during restrictions) exhibited higher body fat percentage (p=0.037).
  • The 'after' group showed significantly shorter single-leg standing time (p=0.003) and more falls per month (p<0.001).
  • Logistic regression confirmed shorter single-leg standing time (OR: 0.985), more falls (OR: 1.899), and higher body fat (OR: 1.111) in the 'after' group.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 emergency restrictions had a detrimental effect on children's physical function.
  • Balance, indicated by single-leg standing time and falls, was particularly affected.
  • The findings underscore the need for strategies to maintain pediatric physical health during public health crises.

Keywords:
COVID-19Gait Deviation IndexJapanbalancebody fatpandemic responsephysical healthrestrictionssingle-leg standing time

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