Physical Activity of Preschool Children in COVID-19 Pandemic: Focusing on Activity Content and Exercise Intensity during Childcare

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between children's activities at a nursery school and the amount of physical activity in the COVID-19 pandemic and obtained primary data to promote future childcare activities. Healthy preschool children aged 3 -5 (N = 21) participated in the survey. Children wore an activity tracker (Polar, A360) on the wrist of the non-dominant hand for three hours in the morning on five days, just after the state of emergency was lifted. The measurements included "activity time", "moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time", and "average heart rate (HR)". The activity time was defined as physical activity time with an intensity of over 60% HRmax (maximum heart rate). MVPA time was defined as time doing physical activity with an intensity higher than 70% HRmax. From the results of this study, in childcare under COVID-19 pandemic, the activity time of each day was 37.8 ± 25.0 min to 87.0 ± 34.7 min, and the MVPA time was 4.7 ± 6.3 min to 33.7 ± 26.1 min, and the average heart rate was 111.3 ± 7.3 bpm at the lowest and 126.8 ± 9.9 bpm at the highest. In particular, the time of MVPA, which is expected to improve physical strength, was approximately 15min on a five-day average, which was significantly shorter than previous studies. Children's health and development of athletic ability are hindered by insufficient opportunities for physical activities and exercise because of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Securing exercise time and increasing exercise intensity should be considered in childcare to increase children's physical activity in childcare.

Influence of Parents’ Awareness on Preschool Children’s Daily Life and Physical Activities during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The spread of the novel Coronavirus infection and the prolonged and severe epidemic due to the emergence of mutant strains of the virus have significantly reduced children's opportunities for physical activity, which has raised concerns about their health. Hashimoto et al (2021) investigated Japanese preschool children's physical activity in 2020, immediately after lifting Japan's emergency declaration and COVID-19 preventive measures. The study indicated that children had not been physically active for the duration recommended by MEXT (Hashimoto et al, 2021).…”

“…Hashimoto et al (2021) investigated Japanese preschool children's physical activity in 2020, immediately after lifting Japan's emergency declaration and COVID-19 preventive measures. The study indicated that children had not been physically active for the duration recommended by MEXT (Hashimoto et al, 2021). Hashimoto et al (2021) emphasized the situation in which activities of preschool children have been greatly restricted in daycare to cope with unusual situations and lifestyle changes.…”

“…The study indicated that children had not been physically active for the duration recommended by MEXT (Hashimoto et al, 2021). Hashimoto et al (2021) emphasized the situation in which activities of preschool children have been greatly restricted in daycare to cope with unusual situations and lifestyle changes. The lack of physical activities and exercise was severely challenging children's health and motor skills development.…”

“…We conducted a physical activity survey at a nursery school in June 2020 (Hashimoto et al, 2021) and we performed a follow-up survey approximately four months later, in October. We hypothesized that the preschool children's environment and physical and mental health would improve due to the changes, including the decrease in the prevalence of infections in Japan, the easing of restrictions on movements and behaviors, and improvements in the country's economy and human activities.…”

“…We hypothesized that the preschool children's environment and physical and mental health would improve due to the changes, including the decrease in the prevalence of infections in Japan, the easing of restrictions on movements and behaviors, and improvements in the country's economy and human activities. We considered it necessary to understand parents' perceptions to strengthen the cooperation between caregivers and parents, as proposed by Hashimoto et al (2021). This study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between parents' perceptions and the physical activity status of preschool children and compare the conditions at different times during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.…”