Citation

Do B, Kirkland C, Besenyi GM, Carissa Smock M, Lanza K. Prev. Med. Rep. 2022; 29: e101959.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101959

PMID

36034528

PMCID

PMC9394097

Abstract

The purpose of the systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence from available published literature examining the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on youth physical activity (PA). A systematic review of the literature was conducted for years 2020-2021. Published articles were searched in eight databases. Inclusion criteria included: availability of full-text, written in English language, and reported quantitative or qualitative results of original or secondary data on PA and COVID-19 related factors among youth (ages 5-17 years). A standard quality assessment tool assessed risk of bias and quality of included articles. The search retrieved 2,899 articles with 51 articles ultimately meeting inclusion criteria. The majority of articles (65 %) investigated change in PA from before to during the pandemic. Most evidence indicated an overall decrease in youth PA levels during the pandemic with differences observed among sub-populations (e.g., age, sex or gender), type, and location.

FINDINGS suggest pandemic-related closures hindered PA participation due to a high reliance on school- and sport-based PA. Programmatic strategies (e.g., activity breaks, active curriculum, free online activities/lessons) should include aligning intervention measures and geared towards evolving and ongoing PA promotion based on the latest findings.

Language: en

Keywords

Children; Adolescents; Exercise; COVID-19; (COVID-19), coronavirus disease 2019; (PA), physical activity