A COVID-19 Crisis in Child Physical Fitness: Creating a Barometric Tool of Public Health Engagement for the Republic of Slovenia

Abstract

The Republic of Slovenia implements the largest longitudinal database of child physical fitness in the world–SLOfit. Slovenia has some of the most physically active children globally, and it has responded rapidly to incorporate national physical activity (PA) interventions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite aggressive campaigns to maintain PA at home, the country has seen a tremendous decrease in child physical fitness over the past several months as self-isolation measures have been mandated by national authorities. These trends prompted researchers to create a method of tracking and communicating government decisions which have a direct impact on child physical activity, fitness and overall health (i.e., the SLOfit Barometer). The research team assembled experts for consultation on creation of the SLOfit Barometer after processing preliminary data on 20,000 schoolchildren which found the greatest decline in child physical fitness since systematic testing began more than 30 years ago. Only 2 months of self-isolation erased over 10 years of hard-fought health gains acquired from national public health policies and PA interventions. This crisis in child fitness requires integrated community participation and a robust public health policy response, and with the SLOfit Barometer acting as a national bellwether system, it is envisioned that policy makers and the public will advocate for bold, progressive actions to combat this national health emergency. This surveillance tool tracks government action to combat the increasing child physical inactivity and obesity trends brought on as a direct result of COVID-19 isolation regulations.

Physical Education Teachers’ Opinion about Online Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Comparative Study of European Countries

“…The measures taken had a direct impact on the data obtained. Similar to our study, the decreased level of physical activity of children during the pandemic and online teaching were also reported for children in other countries, such as Slovenia [33], Canada [34], Spain, and Brazil [35]. A decreased level of physical activity was followed by longer screen time, less time outdoors [34], and increased sleep duration [35].…”

The Effect of Pandemic Movement Restriction Policies on Children's Physical Fitness, Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep

“…The world is getting hotter ( 2 ), children are becoming less fit and more obese ( 3 ), and the likelihood of vector-borne diseases entering the human population is also increasing ( 1 ), rendering the possibility of future movement restrictions to novel disease outbreaks likely, itself creating a vicious-cycle of isolation, physical de-training ( 4 ), and increased risk for heat injury ( 5 ), especially for vulnerable populations like children. There needs to be greater priority given when considering children's health when creating public health policy ( 6 ), especially since the extraordinary impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on human movement will likely not be a one-off situation.…”

“…From the earliest days of this COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have been sounding the alarm on how the negative impacts of isolation, confinement, and physical (in)activity will affect all persons ( 4 ), and children in particular ( 7 ). Problematically, most governments remain either unaware or unconcerned about the effects self-confinement have on the physical and mental health of its citizens ( 6 ). Jurak et al have outlined the grave costs these restrictive measures have had on the physical fitness of children in Slovenia, noting that their research group has observed greatest decrease in child fitness in the >30 year history since systematic surveillance of child fitness began ( 6 ).…”

Physical Activity and Well-Being during the Second COVID19-Related Lockdown in Germany in 2021

“…During the second lockdown, however, unorganized PA fell to less than half of the level of the first lockdown, and organized PA was as low as 3.7 min per day [13]. The data of the nationwide, school-based physical fitness surveillance program "SLOfit" in Slovenia documented a dramatic drop in fitness in both boys and girls [14].…”