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Prospective Analysis of Levels and Correlates of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Rules of Social Distancing; Gender Specific Study among Adolescents from Southern Croatia

Author

Listed:
  • Damir Sekulic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Mateo Blazevic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
    School for Construction and Land Surveying, Split-Dalmatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Barbara Gilic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
    Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Ivan Kvesic

    (Faculty of Science and Education, University of Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

  • Natasa Zenic

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

Abstract

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global authorities have imposed rules of social distancing that directly influence overall physical activity in populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends of changes in physical-activity levels (PALs) in adolescents and factors that may be associated with PALs among the studied boys and girls. Methods: Participants in this prospective study comprised 388 adolescents (126 females; mean age: 16.4 ± 1.9 years) from southern Croatia who were tested at a baseline (before the imposed rules of social distancing) and at a follow-up measurement (three weeks after the initiation). Baseline testing included anthropometric variables, variables of fitness status (done at the beginning of the school year), and PALs. At the follow-up, participants were tested on PALs. PALs were evaluated over an online platform using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Results: A significant decrease of PALs was evidenced for the total sample ( t -test = 3.46, p < 0.001), which was primarily influenced by a significant decrease of PALs in boys ( t -test = 5.15, p < 0.001). The fitness status (jumping capacity, abdominal strength, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic endurance) was systematically positively correlated with PALs at the baseline and follow-up among boys and girls, with the most evident association between aerobic and anaerobic endurance capacities and PALs. Correlations between anthropometric and fitness variables with changes in physical activity (e.g., the difference between baseline and follow-up PALs) were negligible. Conclusions: Differences in PAL changes between genders were probably related to the fact that PALs among boys were mostly related to participation in organized sports. Correlations between baseline fitness status and PALs indicated the importance of overall physical literacy in preserving PALs in challenging circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic observed here.

Suggested Citation

  • Damir Sekulic & Mateo Blazevic & Barbara Gilic & Ivan Kvesic & Natasa Zenic, 2020. "Prospective Analysis of Levels and Correlates of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Rules of Social Distancing; Gender Specific Study among Adolescents from Southern Croatia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4072-:d:358806
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Drenjak Jasna Lulić & Užičanin Edin & Zenić Nataša, 2023. "Sport, Physical Activity and (Harmful) Alcohol Drinking in University Students During the First Year After COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender-Stratified Cross-Sectional Study," Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, Sciendo, vol. 30(2), pages 15-21, June.
    4. Junliang He & Longkun Qiu, 2022. "Gender and Age Association with Physical Activity and Mood States of Children and Adolescents in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-10, November.
    5. Josip Karuc & Maroje Sorić & Ivan Radman & Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković, 2020. "Moderators of Change in Physical Activity Levels during Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Young Urban Adults," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-10, August.
    6. Rebecca Hood & Juliana Zabatiero & Desiree Silva & Stephen R. Zubrick & Leon Straker, 2021. "“Coronavirus Changed the Rules on Everything” : Parent Perspectives on How the COVID-19 Pandemic Influenced Family Routines, Relationships and Technology Use in Families with Infants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Ana Rodríguez-Larrad & Asier Mañas & Idoia Labayen & Marcela González-Gross & Ander Espin & Susana Aznar & José Antonio Serrano-Sánchez & Francisco J. Vera-Garcia & Domingo González-Lamuño & Ignacio A, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Spanish University Students: Role of Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    8. Rachel L. Knight & Melitta A. McNarry & Adam W. Runacres & James Shelley & Liba Sheeran & Kelly A. Mackintosh, 2022. "Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents—An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.
    9. Deborah M. Telford & Dana M. Signal & Paul L. Hofman & Silmara Gusso, 2021. "Physical Activity in Adolescents with and without Type 1 Diabetes during the New Zealand COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown of 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    10. 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.

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