Physical fitness in Austrian elementary school children prior to and post-COVID-19

Clemens Drenowatz; Gerson Ferrari; Klaus Greier; Sitong Chen; Franz Hinterkörner; Clemens Drenowatz; Gerson Ferrari; Klaus Greier; Sitong Chen; Franz Hinterkörner

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2023034

AIMS Public Health

2023, Volume 10, Issue 2: 480-495. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2023034

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Research article Topical Sections

Physical fitness in Austrian elementary school children prior to and post-COVID-19

1.
Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Education Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria
2.
Escuela de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte y la Salud, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) Santiago 7500618, Chile
3.
Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
4.
Division of Physical Education, Private Educational College (KPH-ES) 6422 Stams, Austria
5.
Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne 8001, Australia
6.
Olympic Training Center Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria

Received: 28 March 2023 Revised: 15 May 2023 Accepted: 19 May 2023 Published: 26 May 2023

Background
With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented policies that included movement restrictions, social distancing and school closures in order to control the spread of the virus. Even though these actions may have been necessary to save lives, there have been some unintended consequences that could affect future public health.

Methods
The present study uses data from more than 24,500 Austrian elementary school children (51.2% male) that participated in a state-wide fitness evaluation program, which was initiated in the 2016/17 school year. In addition to body weight and height, data on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular power, speed, agility, flexibility and object control were collected from three cohorts prior to the implementation of movement restrictions (school years: 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19) and one cohort in 2022, after the majority of COVID-19 policies had been lifted.

Results
Body mass index percentiles were significantly higher in children post-COVID-19 (p < 0.01). Further, cardiorespiratory endurance, agility and flexibility were significantly lower post-COVID-19 compared to the years preceding movement restrictions (p ≤ 0.01), while absolute muscular strength was higher in the year 2022 (p < 0.01).

Conclusion
Given the detrimental effects of COVID-19 policies on physical fitness in children, additional efforts are necessary that include versatile opportunities for physical activity and the promotion of physical fitness in order to modify the observed negative health trajectories and ensure future public health.
- body weight,
- cardiorespiratory endurance,
- muscular strength,
- muscular power,
- speed,
- agility,
- flexibility,
- motor competence
Citation: Clemens Drenowatz, Gerson Ferrari, Klaus Greier, Sitong Chen, Franz Hinterkörner. Physical fitness in Austrian elementary school children prior to and post-COVID-19[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2023, 10(2): 480-495. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2023034

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Abstract

Background

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented policies that included movement restrictions, social distancing and school closures in order to control the spread of the virus. Even though these actions may have been necessary to save lives, there have been some unintended consequences that could affect future public health.

Methods

The present study uses data from more than 24,500 Austrian elementary school children (51.2% male) that participated in a state-wide fitness evaluation program, which was initiated in the 2016/17 school year. In addition to body weight and height, data on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular power, speed, agility, flexibility and object control were collected from three cohorts prior to the implementation of movement restrictions (school years: 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19) and one cohort in 2022, after the majority of COVID-19 policies had been lifted.

Results

Body mass index percentiles were significantly higher in children post-COVID-19 (p < 0.01). Further, cardiorespiratory endurance, agility and flexibility were significantly lower post-COVID-19 compared to the years preceding movement restrictions (p ≤ 0.01), while absolute muscular strength was higher in the year 2022 (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Given the detrimental effects of COVID-19 policies on physical fitness in children, additional efforts are necessary that include versatile opportunities for physical activity and the promotion of physical fitness in order to modify the observed negative health trajectories and ensure future public health.

Acknowledgments

The project “Wie fit bist du” was funded by the State of Upper Austria via the “Sportland Oberösterreich”.

Use of AI tools declaration

The authors declare they have not used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the creation of this article.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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