Physical Fitness Trend after Covid-19 Restrictions in Italian School-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUNDː Physical fitness (PF) is a marker of health in children. Muscular strength and speed-agility PF components play a crucial role in musculoskeletal development and bone health. The outbreaks of COVID-19 pandemic changed the daily and sports activities in younger increasing sedentary habits with a detrimental effect on PF. We aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on PF in Italian school-aged children. METHODSː We recruited 286 elementary school children, and they were tested through an internationally validated battery test, which evaluate muscular strength and speed-agility (as a multifactorial performance) prior (2018) and after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic (2021). RESULTSː Our results showed a reduction in the lower limb strength (SBJ in boys mean difference (MD) = - 0.42 m; SBJ in girls MD = - 0.20 m; p<0.05) and in the speed-agility ability (10 x 5 m in boys MD = 14.1 s; 10 x m in girls MD = 11.2 s; p<0.05), while the upper limb strength remained steady before and after the restrictions. Specifically, for boys of all ages there was a reduction in lower limb strength and in speed-agility but not in upper limb strength. For girls of all ages there was not a recurrent trend, while for 6-8 girls there was a reduction only speed-agility, for 9-11 girls there was a reduction in lower limb and speed-agility. CONCLUSIONSː Our results could be useful to help teachers and sports specialists to evaluate and improve strength and speed-agility in children. We encourage trainers and sport specialists to implement programs to help children to become more active and healthier during their lifespan.