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Physical Fitness of Chinese Primary School Students across the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Retrospective Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Wei-Ning Hu

    (Physical Education Group, Yuxian School, Guangzhou 511400, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Dong-Yue Li

    (Department of Physical Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wing-Kai Lam

    (Sports Information and External Affairs Centre, Hong Kong Sports Institute, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Yi Wang

    (Department of Physical Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
    Sports and Social Development Research Center, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Duo Wai-Chi Wong

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
    Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • James Chung-Wai Cheung

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
    Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China)

Abstract

Social distancing measures against COVID-19 imposed restrictions on students that may have affected their physical health and fitness. The objective of this study was to investigate the change in physical fitness of primary school students across the coronavirus outbreaks from 2019 to 2021. This was a retrospective repeated cross-sectional study. We obtained the annual physical and fitness assessment data measured every November for all students at the same primary school in Guangzhou, China. There was a total of 6371 observations in the dataset for three years. The physical fitness of the students was evaluated with an overall physical fitness score, body mass index (BMI), lung vital capacity, physical flexibility (via a sit-and-reach test) and sports task performances (sprint, shuttle run, rope-jumping, and sit-up). Generalised estimating equations were used to determine any significant changes from 2019 to 2021, adjusted for confounders. After the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021, there was a significant elevation in BMI of 0.64 kg/m 2 in 2020 and 0.39 kg/m 2 in 2021 ( p < 0.001). The overall physical fitness score was significantly increased by 2.1 and 4.1 points, respectively, in 2020 and 2021 ( p < 0.001). Lung vital capacity and rope-jumping performance were significantly improved in both 2020 and 2021 compared with 2019, and sit-up performance was marginally significantly improved in 2020 and significantly improved in 2021. However, students demonstrated poorer flexibility and sprint and shuttle run performance in 2021 compared with 2019. A health promotion programme during and after COVID-19, including online physical education classes, television broadcasts, and a rope-jumping campaign, could account for these positive outcomes, along with the ease of administering rope-jumping and sit-ups at home.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei-Ning Hu & Dong-Yue Li & Wing-Kai Lam & Yi Wang & Duo Wai-Chi Wong & James Chung-Wai Cheung, 2022. "Physical Fitness of Chinese Primary School Students across the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Retrospective Repeated Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7870-:d:848739
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    References listed on IDEAS

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