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

Author

Listed:
  • Tadashi Ito

    (Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis Room, Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Okazaki 444-0002, Japan
    Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 461-8673, Japan)

  • Hideshi Sugiura

    (Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 461-8673, Japan)

  • Yuji Ito

    (Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Okazaki 444-0002, Japan)

  • Koji Noritake

    (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Okazaki 444-0002, Japan)

  • Nobuhiko Ochi

    (Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Okazaki 444-0002, Japan)

Abstract

In April 2020, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Schools were closed and a stay-at-home order was issued in April and May 2020. This before-and-after study aimed to measure the effects of these COVID-19-related restrictions on physical function among Japanese children. The study included children aged 6–7 years, enrolled before and after the emergency declaration. Their body fat percentage, single-leg standing time, Gait Deviation Index score, and history of falls were compared. There were 56 and 54 children in the before and after groups, respectively. Children in the after group had a higher body fat percentage ( p = 0.037), shorter single-leg standing time ( p = 0.003), and a larger number of falls per month ( p < 0.001) than those in the before group. In the logistic regression analysis, children in the after group had a significantly shorter single-leg standing time (odds ratio (OR): 0.985, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.972−0.997, p = 0.013), a greater number of falls per month (OR: 1.899, 95% CI: 1.123−3.210, p = 0.017), and a higher body fat percentage (OR: 1.111, 95% CI: 1.016−1.215, p = 0.020) than those in the before group. The COVID-19 emergency restrictions had a negative effect on children’s physical function, especially on balance.

Suggested Citation

  • Tadashi Ito & Hideshi Sugiura & Yuji Ito & Koji Noritake & Nobuhiko Ochi, 2021. "Effect of the COVID-19 Emergency on Physical Function among School-Aged Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9620-:d:634090
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristina Romero-Blanco & Julián Rodríguez-Almagro & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández & María del Carmen Prado-Laguna & Antonio Hernández-Martínez, 2020. "Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Andrea Nathan & Phoebe George & Michelle Ng & Elizabeth Wenden & Pulan Bai & Zino Phiri & Hayley Christian, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Western Australian Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Tadashi Ito & Hideshi Sugiura & Yuji Ito & Koji Noritake & Nobuhiko Ochi, 2021. "Relationship between the skeletal muscle mass index and physical activity of Japanese children: A cross-sectional, observational study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Bram Constandt & Erik Thibaut & Veerle De Bosscher & Jeroen Scheerder & Margot Ricour & Annick Willem, 2020. "Exercising in Times of Lockdown: An Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on Levels and Patterns of Exercise among Adults in Belgium," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-10, June.
    5. Michael Mutz & Johannes Müller & Anne K. Reimers, 2021. "Use of Digital Media for Home-Based Sports Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the German SPOVID Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
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    1. Tadashi Ito & Hideshi Sugiura & Yuji Ito & Sho Narahara & Koji Noritake & Daiki Takahashi & Kentaro Natsume & Nobuhiko Ochi, 2022. "Physical Functions among Children before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Study (Stage 1)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.

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