Adverse Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Performance in Primary School Children

Camille Chambonnière, Nicole Fearnbach, Léna Pelissier, Pauline Genin, Alicia Fillon, Audrey Boscaro, Line Bonjean, Mélina Bailly, Julie Siroux, Terry Guirado, Bruno Pereira, David Thivel and Martine Duclos
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Camille Chambonnière: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Nicole Fearnbach: Clinical Sciences Division, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
Léna Pelissier: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Pauline Genin: National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Alicia Fillon: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Audrey Boscaro: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Line Bonjean: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Mélina Bailly: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Julie Siroux: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Terry Guirado: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Bruno Pereira: Biostatistics Unit, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
David Thivel: Laboratory of Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Martine Duclos: National Observatory for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-10

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the COVID-19-related confinement and social restrictions affected the levels of physical fitness and academic achievement in primary school French children. A total of 206 primary school children (106 before confinements and 100 after restrictions) completed a test battery evaluating their anthropometric characteristics, body compositions, activity preferences, cognitive performances and physical fitness. The performance of the Standing Long Jump was better at T0 (169.9 ± 142.5 cm) compared to T1 (135.2 ± 31.4 cm) ( p = 0.0367), and the Medicine Ball Throw performance declined from T0 to T1 (297.3 ± 81.1 cm vs. 249 ± 52 cm; p < 0.0001). Motor skills (26.9 ± 6.2 s vs. 30.9 ± 5.4 s; p < 0.0001), the shuttle-run test (stages completed), Maximal Aerobic Speed, and the estimated VO 2max were lower at T1 compared to T0 ( p < 0.0001). Executive functioning was found to be greater at T0 compared to T1 ( p < 0.0001). Explicit liking or wanting for sedentary or physical activities did not change between T0 and T1. Both overall physical fitness and cognitive performance drastically declined among primary school French children with the COVID-19-related public health restrictions, which reinforces the need to urgently develop preventive strategies in anticipation of further mitigation measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; physical fitness; executive function; confinement; children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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