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

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dc.contributor.authorTulchin-Francis, Kirsten
dc.contributor.authorStevens Jr., Wilshaw
dc.contributor.authorGu, Xiangli
dc.contributor.authorZhang, Tao
dc.contributor.authorRoberts, Heather
dc.contributor.authorKeller, Jean
dc.contributor.authorDempsey, Dana
dc.contributor.authorBorchard, Justine
dc.contributor.authorJeans, Kelly
dc.contributor.authorVanPelt, Jonathan
dc.creator.orcidhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2670-4981
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-17T17:23:36Z
dc.date.available2023-03-17T17:23:36Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractBackground: Daily 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. Methods: A 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. Results: Analysis 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. Conclusion: This 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.en_US
dc.identifier.citationThis is a published version of an article that is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.02.005. Recommended citation: Tulchin-Francis, K., Stevens, W., Gu, X., Zhang, T., Roberts, H., Keller, J., Dempsey, D., Borchard, J., Jeans, K., & VanPelt, J. (2021). The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. children. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 10(3), 323–332. This item has been deposited in accordance with publisher copyright and licensing terms and with the author’s permission.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/14687
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.02.005
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherElsevieren_US
dc.rights.licenseCCBY-NC-ND
dc.subjectAdolescentsen_US
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_US
dc.subjectModerate-to-vigorous physical activityen_US
dc.subjectPediatricen_US
dc.subjectYouthen_US
dc.titleThe impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. childrenen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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