The Effects of Calisthenic Exercise in Adolescents

Background: During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was observed that the level of physical activity decreased with social isolation. Our aim in this study was to examine the effectiveness of calisthenic exercise training on physical activity, quality of life, sleep, anxiety and depression levels in adolescents. Methods: Thirty-eight adolescent students who had been studying full-time online education during the pandemic were randomized into two groups;calisthenic exercise group (n=19, mean age= 12,84±0,37, BMI= 21,23± 3,66) and control group (n=19, mean age=13,05±0,84,BMI=21,27±2,27). Calisthenic exercise group received calisthenic exercise training for 8 weeks through the videoconferans and control group didnt receive any exercise treatment. The levels of physical activity were measured by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Quality of life was assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (PedsQL-SF). The Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) were used to determine the level of anxiety. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in physical activity levels (IPAQ p=0.049), anxiety depression (BAS and RADS P=0.007), quality of life (PedsQL-SFp= 0.012) and sleep (PSQI p= 0.045) in the exercise group (p<0.05). No significant improvement was observed in any measurement parameters in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusions: The results of this sudy suggest that calisthenic exercise training at home is effective in physical activity, quality of life, sleep, anxiety and depression levels in adolescents despite social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. ©Author(s) 2022 by the authors.