Effects of Physical Exercise on the Body Composition and Conditional Physical Capacities of School Children During Confinement by COVID-19

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the countries announced the temporary closure of schools, opting to continue classes virtually, affecting children’s lifestyles, primarily by reducing the practice of physical activity and sport, which becomes a risk factor for the development of obesity and overweight. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of physical exercise on body composition in a sample of school-age children during confinement by COVID-19. A quantitative approach study and quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test. The sample consisted of 70 school-age children from 8 to 12 years old who were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the experimental group (GE: 35), who received an aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise program 3 times a day. With a duration of 60 minutes for 10 weeks in a virtual way and a control group (CG: 35) that received only the physical education class. Although the pre-test post measurements showed favorable changes in body composition, weight, and conditional capacities (speed and jumping), these were not statistically significant ( P < .05). A structured physical exercise program through virtuality for schoolchildren can be a strategy to control overweight and obesity in children during confinement and improve their conditional physical capacities (speed, jumping).

Puberal and Adolescent Horse Riders’ Fitness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effects of Training Restrictions on Health-Related and Functional Motor Abilities

“…To this purpose, a detailed profile of athletes’ physical fitness allowed not only the determination of the underlying performance qualities for training-planning purposes, but also a wide range of health-related attributes associated with the quality of life. Many studies investigated fitness- and health-related changes after the COVID-19 confinement in healthy or diseased school children and adolescents [ 21 , 22 ]. However, young athletes could suffer a major impact during confinement due to their greatly modified lifestyle.…”