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Empowering Children Through Active Lifestyles: A Path to Wellness

Empowering Children Through Active Lifestyles: A Path to Wellness

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on children's physical activity levels, as highlighted in the research article "The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. children" by Tulchin-Francis et al. The study reveals significant declines in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children, with the greatest reductions observed in high schoolers. This blog aims to provide practitioners with insights and recommendations to enhance their skills and encourage further research in promoting physical activity among children.

Understanding the Impact

The study conducted a cross-sectional, online survey of parents to assess changes in their children's physical activity levels during the early stages of the pandemic. Results indicated a significant decrease in MVPA, with scores dropping from 46.7 to 34.7. Light physical activity remained stable, but the overall decline in activity levels is concerning, particularly for older children.

Age-based differences were evident, with preschoolers experiencing the least impact, while high schoolers faced the most significant reductions. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the unique challenges faced by different age groups.

Recommendations for Practitioners

Based on the study's findings, practitioners can take several actions to improve physical activity levels among children:

Encouraging Further Research

The study underscores the need for ongoing research to better understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on children's physical activity levels. Practitioners are encouraged to explore the following areas:

Conclusion

As practitioners dedicated to improving children's outcomes, it is crucial to address the decline in physical activity levels exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By implementing evidence-based strategies and fostering collaboration among families, educators, and policymakers, we can empower children to lead active and healthy lives. Continued research will be instrumental in developing effective interventions and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. children.


Citation: Tulchin-Francis, K., Stevens, W., Gu, X., Zhang, T., Roberts, H., Keller, J., Dempsey, D., Borchard, J., Jeans, K., & VanPelt, J. (2021). The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on physical activity in U.S. children. Journal of Sport and Health Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.02.005
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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