Associations between physical activity and health-related factors in childhood and adolescence during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Kohake, Kathrin; Henning, Lena; Dahl, Stefanie, Neuber, Nils; Dreiskämper, Dennis

Abstract

Today, there is clear evidence that the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced not only the physical activity (PA) behaviour of children and adolescents but also different health parameters. This study aimed at analysing the relationship between PA and health in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA was conducted. In April 2022, studies were searched for in nine electronic databases. Overall, 58 papers investigating more than 80,000 children and adolescents from 26 countries met full inclusion criteria. Studies examined the associations between PA and psychological health (n = 45), physical health (n = 13), social health (n = 12), general health (n = 1), and health-related habits (i.e. sleep, nutrition, screen time; n = 17). Most studies demonstrated strong evidence for relationships between PA and psychological health. Mostly positive correlations also emerged regarding the relation of PA and physical as well as social health. PA is also associated with other health-related behaviours, with screen time having an exceptional role during the pandemic. This review indicates that PA and health are associated largely even during the changed conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies are needed that focus on the causality of these relationship between PA and health by including studies with longitudinal designs.