Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on health parameters and muscle strength of older women: A longitudinal study

Effects of physical distancing by COVID-19 pandemic on diet quality, neurological and immunological markers, and fecal microbiota of Brazilian older women

“…Wang et al ( 42 ) studying 2,289 subjects older than 18 years in China after 77 days of physical distancing, reported lower physical activity, and higher length of sitting and lying down time. Furthermore, Marcos-Pardo et al ( 43 ) demonstrated increased levels of LDL, Non-HDL lipids and reduced levels of HDL, muscle strength, and femoral bone mass densitometry after 13 weeks of physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Spanish older women (60−70 years, n = 30). Although BMI was not significantly modified, total and trunk fat mass increased, which could contribute to increases in cardiovascular risk in those older women.…”

Eighteen-Month Changes in Physical Activity, Body Weight, Quadriceps Strength, and Gait Biomechanics during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The suggestion of decreased muscular strength due to pandemic lockdowns is supported by findings from prior studies that assessed various populations over shorter follow-up periods (i.e., 2 wk to ~1 yr) using a variety of measurement methods. For instance, grip strength measured with a handheld dynamometer was reduced in males and females of various ages (38)(39)(40); upper and lower body strength assessed with 30-s sit-to-stand and 30-s arm curl tests, respectively, was diminished in older adults (41); isometric knee extensor strength assessed using a force transducer was reduced in older women (19); isokinetic knee extensor strength measured with a multimodal dynamometer was decreased in endurance-trained young men (20); and eccentric hamstring strength estimated using the Nordic hamstring test and a video-based method was decreased in professional male soccer players (42). Together, these findings suggest that a number of individuals spanning all levels of physical fitness likely suffered muscular strength declines over the course of the pandemic.…”

“…Although many studies have investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels (1)(2)(3)(4) and body weight (5)(6)(7), limited research has objectively quantified its effects on lower-limb muscular strength (19,20). Conversely, no known work has examined the impact of the pandemic on ambulatory biomechanics despite their pertinence to musculoskeletal health.…”

Associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in adolescents during home confinement: Mediating role of social support and sleep quality

“…The lack of space limited the possibilities to conduct specific forms of PA (including planned and structured forms of PA also referred to as physical exercises) during home confinement and thus contributed to an increase in sedentary behavior. Although the lockdown during the pandemic negatively influenced the health of all age groups ( Eedera et al, 2022 ; Haque et al, 2022 ; Katewongsa et al, 2021 ; Luijten et al, 2021 ; Marcos-Pardo et al, 2022 ; Morgul et al, 2020 ; Runacres et al, 2021 ; Tulchin-Francis et al, 2021 ; Wilson et al, 2020 ),there was evidence that adolescents were more severely affected by the COVID-19-related public health actions ( Elvén et al, 2022 ; D. C. Paterson et al, 2021 ; Wilke et al, 2021 ; Xiang et al, 2020 ) and further evidence suggests that adolescents were more affected than younger or older adults, although the latter finding is not universal ( Elvén et al, 2022 ; Runacres et al, 2021 ; Wilke et al, 2021 ). In the literature, it has been emphasized that adolescents are a vulnerable and key age group that deserves more research attention ( Runacres et al, 2021 ).…”