Moving Forward: Understanding Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour during COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents—An Integrative Review and Socioecological Approach

Rachel L. Knight, Melitta A. McNarry, Adam W. Runacres, James Shelley, Liba Sheeran and Kelly A. Mackintosh
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Rachel L. Knight: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Melitta A. McNarry: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Adam W. Runacres: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
James Shelley: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Liba Sheeran: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4EP, UK
Kelly A. Mackintosh: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions have negatively impacted physical activity (PA) and sedentary time/behaviour. This integrative review systematically explored the socioecological factors that impacted and influenced these movement behaviours in children and adolescents during the pandemic. Five electronic databases were systematically searched in January 2021, with data extracted from 16 articles ( n = 18,352; 5–17 years; 12 countries). Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT), with correlates identified, coded, and themed via thematic analysis. A socioecological model of during-pandemic PA and sedentary time/behaviour was conceptualised and mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model of behaviour-change mechanisms, illustrating influences over five levels: Individual (biological)—age and sex; Individual (psychological)—mental health, and cognition, motivation, and behaviour; Social—family factors, and structured support; Environmental—area of residence and resources; and Policy—COVID-19-related rules. For sedentary time/behaviour, individual-(age and sex), social-(family factors) and policy-(COVID-19-related rules) level factors may be important correlates. There were no age or sex associations with PA levels, though there was some indication that sedentary time/behaviour increased with age. Interventions seeking to enhance young people’s movement behaviours during periods of enforced restrictions should focus on enhancing opportunities on a social and environmental level.

Keywords: physical inactivity; youth; coronavirus; young people; sedentary time; movement behaviours; SARS-CoV-2; determinants; COM-B model; behaviour change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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