Safeguarding Children's Movement Behaviours During Public Health Crises: Lessons From a Global Rapid Scoping Review.

Abstract

Public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were essential for limiting viral transmission but had unintended consequences for children's movement behaviours, including reduced physical activity, increased sedentary time, and disruptions to sleep. These behaviours are fundamental to healthy physical, mental, and social development and were already suboptimal for many children prior to the pandemic. This commentary draws on findings from a rapid global scoping review of 182 studies conducted across 48 countries between 2020 and 2023 and reflects the consensus position of an international group of movement behaviour researchers. Using qualitative evidence synthesis and narrative analysis, the review examined reported changes in children's movement behaviours and identified commonly proposed strategies to mitigate harms during public health emergencies. Across diverse geographic and economic contexts, studies consistently described declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary time, alongside variable impacts on sleep. Recommended responses most frequently emphasized education, environmental restructuring, enablement, and policy and service-level actions aimed at supporting healthy movement opportunities during periods of restriction. Collectively, the evidence suggests that children's movement behaviours were insufficiently considered within emergency response planning and were often treated as secondary outcomes rather than essential determinants of child health. We argue that protecting opportunities for physical activity, active play, and healthy daily movement should be embedded within pandemic recovery and future emergency preparedness efforts. Recognizing movement behaviours as a core component of resilient public health systems may help mitigate unintended harms and better safeguard child health and well-being during future crises.