The profound impact of COVID-19 on college students' physical fitness
Jianzhong Sun1,2, Bin Qiao3, Chan Lin1,2
1School of Physical Education, Chizhou University, Chizhou, China.
Background:
This study expands existing research by examining longitudinal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical college students' physical fitness.
Methods:
A medical college in Wenzhou, was selected to examine the changes in physical fitness indicators among students from 2019 to 2021.
Results:
While most students maintained normal weight status (85.2%), overweight/obese prevalence increased significantly (8.0% in 2019, 8.9% in 2020, and 10.1% in 2021). Among male students, 67.0% were classified within the passing range, while the majority of female students (55.0%) fell within the "good" grade category. In 2021, a significant decline was observed in the standing long jump, 50-m dash, and 1,000/800 m run (p < 0.05) across both genders.
Conclusions:
The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly contributed to increased weight gain among college students and a decline in their endurance running performance.
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