Physical Activity and Daily Routine among Children Aged 0–12 during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Javier Cachón-Zagalaz, Luisa Zagalaz-Sánchez M.ª, Víctor Arufe-Giráldez, Alberto Sanmiguel-Rodríguez and Gabriel González-Valero
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Javier Cachón-Zagalaz: Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Luisa Zagalaz-Sánchez M.ª: Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Víctor Arufe-Giráldez: Specific Didactics Department, Research and Diagnostic Methods in Education, Education Faculty, University of a Coruña, 15001 Coruña, Spain
Alberto Sanmiguel-Rodríguez: Faculty of Language and Education, University of Antonio de Nebrija, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Gabriel González-Valero: Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of many people. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyse the physical activity (PA) and daily routine among children (0–12 years) during lockdown and to establish the main relationships among the variables. Methods: A quantitative study with a descriptive–comparative and cross-sectional design carried out. The sample, selected for convenience, consisted of 837 Spanish children aged 0–12. The “Children and confinement” questionnaire was used, distributed electronically through Google Forms and social networks and activated for 45 days. The individuals participating in this study were mainly children (50.2%) who were in primary education (44.8%). Predominantly, the families of participants were biparental (87.9%), with established routines and schedules (85.7%). Results and conclusions: The use of digital screens is an important part of children’s daily routine. Their daily activities were practiced for more than three–six years, with more by girls. The time children devoted to sleep was directly proportional to the time they devoted to physical activity and indirectly proportional to the time they spent watching screens. The children who slept the most were those aged zero–three years, especially girls, who belonged to large families. The levels of physical activity in the sample were low, as were the times spent on activities such as music or games.

Keywords: COVID-19; children; lockdown; physical activity; daily activities (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 (1)

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