Physical activity levels and physical fitness in primary school students in the "new normal" stage

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the physical activity levels and physical fitness of primary school students during the "new normal"stage. 293 schoolchildren (Mage = 10.51; SD = 0.97), whose physical activity was measured using accelerometers and the PAQ-C questionnaire, and the physical fitness through the 20-m shuttle run test, participated in the research. Additionally, their pre-pandemic and post-lockdown physical activity and physical fitness were compared with two larger samples of schoolchildren from the same region (pre-pandemic: n = 1338, Mage = 10.50, SD = 1.09; post-lockdown: n = 1314, Mage = 10.58, SD = 1.04). The results showed levels of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle clearly far from those recommended by public health institutions, and a physical condition below the 50th percentile (specifically, at the 30th percentile in both sexes). Moreover, the comparison of the "new normal"stage with respect to the pre-pandemic situation, showed a decrease in the physical activity and physical fitness of the schoolchildren. Our findings invite to continue investigating how the physical-sports habits of schoolchildren have been repositioned after confinement and during the "new normal"stage, as well as to intensify efforts to promote active lifestyles in these periods of intermittent restrictions and progressive recovery of normality.