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Physical Functions among Children before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Study (Stage 1)

Author

Listed:
  • Tadashi Ito

    (Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis Laboratory, 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, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
    Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Prefectural Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities, Okazaki 444-0002, Japan)

  • Sho Narahara

    (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)

  • Daiki Takahashi

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

  • Kentaro Natsume

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

  • Nobuhiko Ochi

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

Abstract

One major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s lifestyles is the lack of exercise owing to activity restrictions. However, information regarding the way in which physical functions among children decline under these circumstances remains scarce. In this study, we compared the physical functions and life habits among children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The participants involved 40 children aged between 9–15 years (23 girls and 17 boys) who were examined medically both before and during the pandemic. The compared variables included muscle strength, static and dynamic balance functions, gait speed, body fat percentage, screen and sleep times, quality of life, and physical activity time. During the pandemic, compared to before the pandemic, children had lower levels of dynamic balance functions ( p = 0.039), increased body fat percentages ( p < 0.0001), longer screen time per day ( p = 0.002), and shorter sleep time per day ( p < 0.0001). Between the two periods, there were no significant differences in muscle strength, static balance functions, gait speed, quality of life, and physical activity time. The activity restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affect dynamic balance functions, body-fat levels, and life habits among children.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11513-:d:913622
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez & Robinson Ramírez-Vélez & Yesenia García-Alonso & Mikel Izquierdo & Antonio García-Hermoso, 2021. "Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Sleep and Self-Regulation in Spanish Preschoolers during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-8, January.
    2. 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.
    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. María Rúa-Alonso & Jessica Rial-Vázquez & Iván Nine & Jose Ramón Lete-Lasa & Iván Clavel & Manuel A. Giráldez-García & Miguel Rodríguez-Corral & Xurxo Dopico-Calvo & Eliseo Iglesias-Soler, 2022. "Comparison of Physical Fitness Profiles Obtained before and during COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Independent Large Samples of Children and Adolescents: DAFIS Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, March.
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