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Physical Activity and Stress of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany—A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Braksiek

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Vechta, 49377 Vechta, Germany)

  • Uta Lindemann

    (Department of Sport Science, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany)

  • Iris Pahmeier

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Vechta, 49377 Vechta, Germany)

Abstract

Although infection with SARS-CoV-2 appears to be less dangerous for children and adolescents, research indicates that the measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have had and continue to have negative effects on children’s and adolescents’ mental health and physical activity (PA). Due to the different health policies, country-specific studies as well as studies in different phases of the pandemic are important to obtain a differentiated picture of the effects of the pandemic. This study set out to investigate children’s and adolescents’ PA, stress, and well-being as well as the associations between these two variables during a phase of a gradual decline in measure to contain the pandemic in Germany. For this purpose, 1293 children and adolescents in a rural area of a federal state in Germany were investigated. The results indicated that children and adolescents felt sadder and less well during this period than children and adolescents before the pandemic. Results also revealed that they were more physically active than children and adolescents before the pandemic as well as in the second lockdown but less active than in the first lockdown. Both well-being and sadness were positively associated with the PA. The study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the situation of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Braksiek & Uta Lindemann & Iris Pahmeier, 2022. "Physical Activity and Stress of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany—A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8274-:d:857223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lea Rossi & Nick Behme & Christoph Breuer, 2021. "Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Hadi Nobari & Mohamad Fashi & Arezoo Eskandari & Santos Villafaina & Álvaro Murillo-Garcia & Jorge Pérez-Gómez, 2021. "Effect of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Kathrin Wunsch & Korbinian Kienberger & Claudia Niessner, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity Patterns Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-48, February.
    4. Salima Meherali & Neelam Punjani & Samantha Louie-Poon & Komal Abdul Rahim & Jai K. Das & Rehana A. Salam & Zohra S. Lassi, 2021. "Mental Health of Children and Adolescents Amidst COVID-19 and Past Pandemics: A Rapid Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Xinxin Zhang & Wenfei Zhu & Sifan Kang & Longkun Qiu & Zijun Lu & Yuliang Sun, 2020. "Association between Physical Activity and Mood States of Children and Adolescents in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Epidemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
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