This study compares the physical activity (PA) and recreational screen time (ST) of 1711 German children and adolescents (4–17 years) before and during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Results showed a decline in sports activity (SA) and an increase in recreational ST. However, a substantial increase in habitual physical activities (HA) led to an overall increase in PA. The effects varied in magnitude across age groups but not in direction, and were consistent for boys and girls. The study concludes that PA in children and adolescents is highly context-dependent and that PA and ST are not necessarily inversely related.
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Published On
Dec 11, 2020
Authors
Steffen C. E. Schmidt, Bastian Anedda, Alexander Burchartz, Ana Eichsteller, Simon Kolb, Carina Nigg, Claudia Niessner, Doris Oriwol, Annette Worth, Alexander Woll
Tags
physical activity
recreational screen time
COVID-19 lockdown
children and adolescents
Germany
Related Publications
Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.