A generation at a standstill. Young people do not go to special classes and give up PE

After the pandemic, young people are less physically active – they are especially less likely to walk or choose an active commute to school – according to a study by scientists from Poland and the Czech Republic. Their analyzes also indicate deterioration of mental well-being in both boys and girls.

A Polish-Czech team of scientists (from the J. Kukuczka University of Physical Education in Katowice and Palacký University in Olomouc) has been conducting research on the activity of children and adolescents since the 1990s. This time, researchers – together with the support of WSB Merito University – decided to answer the question of how the relationships between students' physical activity and their well-being (mental condition) have changed – before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results were published in the journal “Healthcare” – Mateusz Lipka, press spokesman for the WSB Merito Chorzów University, told PAP.

The study involved 1,001 secondary school students from Poland and the Czech Republic (430 boys and 571 girls from 22 institutions). These were cross-sectional studies comparing two periods: before and after the pandemic (i.e. after returning to full-time learning).

According to researchers, the most visible changes concern everyday school-related activities. According to analyses, after the pandemic the level of the so-called active transport, i.e. walking or commuting to school in a way that requires physical exertion (e.g. by bike). Among boys, this percentage decreased from 67%. to 44 percent, and among girls – from 61 percent. up to 44 percent

At the same time, the mental well-being of young people has deteriorated. The average score on the WHO-5 scale, measuring, among others, mood, energy level and general life satisfaction decreased in boys from 15.5 to 13.9 points, and in girls – from 12.4 to 11.1.

Another conclusion is the role of organized physical activity. According to researchers, participating in training or sports activities increases the chances of achieving the recommended level of exercise and is also associated with a higher level of well-being – both before and after the pandemic.

The study also shows a deterioration in young people's attitudes towards physical activity and physical education classes. After the pandemic, 51% of people declare a positive attitude towards physical activity. boys and 36 percent girls. In the case of PE lessons, the declines are even greater – up to 36%. in boys and 15 percent at girls.

In the opinion of Dr. Mateusz Ziemba from WSB Merito University, one of the co-authors of the publication, the results – showing that most teenagers do not achieve the recommended minimum of daily moderate or intense physical activity, and the pandemic period has additionally deepened the previously existing negative ones – are part of the globally observed crisis of physical activity, described both in WHO reports and in numerous studies.

“The decline in physical activity is closely related to the increase in sedentary behavior (activities performed while sitting or lying down – PAP's note), digitalization, and changes in the ways of spending free time. Research shows that the period of adolescence (14-16 years) is a critical moment – this is when young people begin to make their own decisions about their lifestyle, and the habits they develop are very often consolidated in adulthood,” said the researcher, quoted in the information sent to PAP.

Moreover, as he emphasized, the results indicate that universal, non-specific physical activity promotion programs are insufficient.

“The future development of activities should move towards individualized strategies, taking into account gender differences, motives, barriers and the structure of the youth's day (before school, at school, after classes). Our results suggest that it will be crucial to develop flexible forms of organized activity that can be carried out on a regular basis, and better use of digital tools to monitor 24-hour behavior patterns. Without such activities, there is a real risk that low levels of physical activity in children and adolescents will become the 'new health norm' in the coming decades” – concluded Dr. Ziemba. (PAP)

akp/agt/