Physical activity of school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the Russian part of the international study

Abstract

Aim: assessment of the physical activity of school-age children in the Russian Federation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and its compliance with the WHO recommendations. Methods: Multicenter cross-sectional study. In Russia, an online questionnaire was filled out by 13,392 children or their parents from 64 regions. The questionnaire consisted of 5 blocks: questions about the socio-demographic data; physical exercise, play or sedentary behavior in the last 7 days; comparison of the child's PA at the moment with PA during the first wave of COVID-19; comparison of the child's PA at the moment with the PA before the COVID-19 pandemic; compliance with WHO global recommendations on PA and sedentary lifestyle; questions about the socio-demographic background of the parent/guardian. Survey data was collected from online platforms, aggregated and imported for statistical analysis using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: This survey revealed a low percentage of children aged 5-17 who adhere to PA guidelines. Thus, the proportion of children following the recommendations for PA of medium and high intensity for at least 60 minutes a day during the week was only 7.5% (95%CI: 6.3-8.3). An increase in screen time on weekdays during the pandemic was found in 21.9% of the survey participant, on weekends in 20.3%. The data obtained should be used to develop and implement sound targeted measures to prevent low PA and improve the health of school-age children.