Impact of Physical Activity on the Balance and Fitness of Elementary School Children During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a decline in activity both at the office and in schools. To stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the government decided that the learning process in elementary schools would be carried out using online systems. This has led to a decrease in psychomotor activity that is usually maintained through playing and routine sports activities at school. Physical activity increases motor physical development which later affects children’s skills in moving. Fitness is the body’s ability to carry out physical activities without causing excessive fatigue. Balance is the body’s ability to maintain a position in carrying out daily activities. These two components are very important in the development period of elementary school children to support other developments and avoid injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of change in physical activity in elementary school children during this pandemic and to examine how this has affected the fitness and balance of the children. The researchers used a cross-sectional design with an analytical survey which investigated the correlation between risk factors and the effects of the two variables. Keywords: balance, physical activity, school from home, Covid-19 pandemic