Comparison of Health Awareness in South Korean Middle School Students According to Type of Online Physical Education Classes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 popularized online classes to prevent educational deficits affected by the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the differences in the importance and performance of health awareness in Korean middle school students according to the types of online physical education classes they attended during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Overall, 583 participants were selected using a convenience sampling method; the data were obtained through an online survey using Google forms. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, independent sample t-test, and importance–performance analysis were performed. First, the differences between importance and performance were found to be the most for sleep and physical activity management, and the least for disease and hygiene management. In addition, both groups demonstrated higher importance and performance for hygiene and disease management. There were significant differences in the importance and performance of all the sub-factors. Second, hygiene, disease management, and mental health management were found in quadrant I in both groups, while physical activity, sleep, and dietary habit management were in quadrant III. No factors were in quadrants II and IV. Correspondingly, there was no significant difference in adolescents’ health awareness between the assignment-based online group and interactive online group.

Changes in Alienation in Physical Education Classes, School Happiness, and Future Healthy Life Expectancy After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korean Adolescents

“…This shows that social health has a positive impact on adolescents, even during the pandemic. Although many studies argued that adolescents' physical and mental health is at risk [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22], we observed that online and in-person hybrid PE classes promote adolescents' social healthy by lowering alienation in PE and boosting school happiness and future healthy life expectancy. To ensure adolescents' social health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim's (2005) [30] strategies to resolve the issue of alienation in PE should be utilized.…”

“…Furthermore, studies also note that adolescents have experienced a decline in their physical health. COVID-19 led to a spike in the prevalence of obesity among adolescents [16], diminished participation in physical activities [17][18], and lowered the level of physical activity involvement [19]. In addition, studies have also reported that adolescents showed a deteriorated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [20] and poorer lifestyle habits [18,21,22].…”

Changes in Alienation in Physical Education Classes, School Happiness, and Expectations of a Future Healthy Life after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korean Adolescents

“…This shows that social health has a positive impact on adolescents, even during the pandemic. Although many studies argued that adolescents' physical and mental health is at risk [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], we observed that online and in-person hybrid PE classes promote adolescents' social healthy by lowering alienation in PE and boosting school happiness and future healthy life expectations. To ensure adolescents' social health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim's [29] strategies to resolve the issue of alienation in PE should be utilized.…”

“…Furthermore, studies also note that adolescents have experienced a decline in their physical health. COVID-19 led to a spike in the prevalence of obesity among adolescents [16], diminished participation in physical activities [17,18], and lowered their levels of physical activity involvement [19]. In addition, adolescents have shown a deterioration in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [20] and poorer lifestyle habits [17,18,21].…”

Health Perceptions of Korean and Japanese Adolescents During the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic: An Importance Performance Analysis

“…Countries struck by COVID-19 report several psychological problems, including depression and anxiety [3]. These problems are not confined to the adult population but rage across adolescents as well [5,6]. Schoolswhere Korean adolescents spend most of their day-have focused on anti-COVID-19 measures to halt the virus's spread [4].…”