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Physical Functions among Children before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational

Tadashi Ito1,2, Hideshi Sugiura2, Yuji Ito3,4

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 activity restrictions negatively impacted children's physical health. Children experienced declines in dynamic balance and increased body fat, alongside changes in screen and sleep habits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread activity restrictions for children.
  • Limited research exists on the specific impacts of these restrictions on children's physical functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare physical functions and lifestyle habits of children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.
  • To identify specific areas of decline in children's physical health and habits due to pandemic-related restrictions.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 40 children (ages 9-15) in Japan were medically examined before and during the pandemic.
  • Key variables assessed included muscle strength, static/dynamic balance, gait speed, body fat, screen time, sleep duration, quality of life, and physical activity.

Main Results:

  • Children showed significantly lower dynamic balance (p=0.039) and increased body fat percentage (p<0.0001) during the pandemic.
  • Pandemic period revealed significantly longer screen time (p=0.002) and shorter sleep duration (p<0.0001).
  • No significant differences were observed in muscle strength, static balance, gait speed, quality of life, or overall physical activity time.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 activity restrictions adversely affected children's dynamic balance and increased body fat.
  • Pandemic measures altered children's lifestyle habits, specifically increasing screen time and reducing sleep.
  • While some physical functions remained stable, dynamic balance and body composition were notably impacted.

Keywords:
COVID-19balance functionschildrenlife habitsobesitypandemicphysical functions

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