Changes in children's physical fitness, BMI and health-related quality of life after the first 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in England : a longitudinal study

Basterfield, Laura and Burn, Naomi L. and Galna, Brook and Batten, Hannah and Goffe, Louis and Karoblyte, Guoda and Lawn, Matt and Weston, Kathryn L. (2022) Changes in children's physical fitness, BMI and health-related quality of life after the first 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in England : a longitudinal study. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40 (10). pp. 1088-1096. ISSN 1466-447X (https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2047504)

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Abstract

We aimed to assess one-year changes in physical fitness, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and body mass index (BMI), encompassing the 2020 COVID-19 UK lockdowns. Data were collected (October 2019, November 2020) from 178 8–10–year-olds in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, 85% from England’s most deprived quintile. Twenty-metre shuttle run test performance (20mSRT), handgrip strength (HGS), standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-and-reach, height, body mass, HRQoL (Kidscreen-27 questionnaire) and sports club participation were measured. BMI z-scores and overweight/obesity were calculated (≥85th centile). Paired t-tests and linear regression assessed change, adjusting for baseline BMI. Significant (p<0.001) changes were observed: increases in mean BMI (+1.5kg·m−2), overweight/obesity (33% to 47%), SBJ (+6.8cm) and HGS (+1.5kg); decreases in 20mSRT performance (−3 shuttles), sit-and-reach (−1.8cm). More children at follow-up were categorized “very low” for 20mSRT performance (35% baseline v 51%). Increased BMI z-score was associated with decreased “Physical Wellbeing” HRQoL. Follow-up sports club participation was associated with better 20mSRT performance (p=0.032), and “Autonomy & Parents” (p=0.011), “Social Support & Peers” (p=0.038) HRQoL. Children’s 20mSRT performance and BMI changed adversely over one year; national lockdowns potentially made negative contributions. Physical fitness, physical activity and sports programmes should be part of children’s physical and mental recovery from the pandemic.

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