Physical activity among U.S. adolescents dropped in the course of the COVID- 19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels, which has been linked to poorer mental health and more stress about the pandemic.
Regular physical activity has a number of psychological and physical benefits. The researchers of a study, in Preventive Medicine Reports, said that only less than a quarter of adolescents in the U.S. actually meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity MVPA per day for people aged six to 17 years.
The researchers looked at MVPA during the pandemic and determined the mental health and resiliency factors associated with MVPA. The sample consisted of adolescents in the age group 10 to 14 years. The data was collected in May 2020.
The study found that only 8.9% of the cohort met the MVPA guidelines before the epidemic, while only 16.1% of the cohort met the MVPA guidelines.
The ban on in-person physical education classes, organized sports, gym and recreational facility closures and rises in screen use all contributed to lower physical activity for teens, according to Jason Nagata, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, in a news release from the University of Toronto.
Adolescents from racial ethnic minorities as well as those from lower socioeconomic status households were significantly less likely to meet the guidelines during the epidemic. Only 0.1% of Native American adolescents met the MVPA guidelines.
The study co-author, KyleT, noted important racial and socioeconomic disparities in physical activity that may reflect unequal access to safe, outdoor recreational spaces. Ganson, Ph. D., of the University of Toronto, added.
Lower physical activity was linked to poorer mental health, lower levels of coping skills, more worry about the pandemic and more stress. During the pandemic, higher MVPA was associated with coping behavior and social support.
Parents should encourage their children to move more and sit less, Nagata said. Physical activity can actually support young people's physical and mental health. The researchers recommend health care providers assess MVPA during adolescent visits, particularly among minorities or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Schools may also offer home-based physical education options, while communities may prioritize access to public recreation spaces.