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How Has Lack of Physical Activity Affected 

Children During Quarantine?

Gent Bislimi - Swimming Coach

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented time all across the world. With the Kosovo government's decision to close the schools in March, and people staying at home, means that people have far fewer opportunities to be physically active, as all of outdoor activities were restricted. These drastic measures and physical inactivity have impacted the health and mental well-being of people. However, children, the most fragile group, have been affected the most during the months of quarantine. Their physical and mental health experienced negative changes: some of them have gained weight, while most of them have been very sad and more aggressive during “stay at home” times.  That is why PLAY has interviewed parents and children to understand how exactly the past few months have affected them.

Children in a preschool class play while wearing facemasks. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

Parent’s Perspective on Quarantine Physical Inactivity

·   PLAY interviewed 10 parents which have children aged 5-10 years old, and only 4 parents stated that their children had exercised more than 4 times per week at home, while all of the parents reported that their children had some sort of physical activity at least once per week. However, all parents reported that a lack of physical activity in the company of other children has affected their children’s mental health negatively by causing negative moods, increased aggressiveness, low concentration in homeschooling lessons, and that the stress has been more evident specifically among introverted children. While in regard to physical health, 3 of the parents have reported that their children have gained weight in a short time.

·     9 out 10 parents have ranked highest the importance of physical activity in their children's well being, while only 1 parent stated that their child's well being was also affected from other  factors such as socializing with other children, nutrition etc.

·    Only 2 parents have declared that they used online sources for home exercises for children, but no online session of any sort of physical activity was provided by public schools.

Children’s Perspective on Quarantine Physical Inactivity

·  When PLAY asked 9 children about how they felt during quarantine and physical inactivity, they listed the following negative feelings: Boredom, missed playing with their friends, missed going out to play, missed their sport coaches, and some of them mentioned that they have watched more than usual amount of television. Only 1 child has said that she enjoyed the time in quarantine as she lives in the countryside and has close family members which used the time together to play and have fun in the yard.

·    7 out of 9 children have ranked the importance of physical activity in their well being as the highest, while 2 children have marked slightly below.

·   All of the children said that they experienced positive feelings after being engaged in physical activity or sports, as they feel happy, strong, and confident because they laugh a lot and enjoy their time with friends. 

 Children during a sport activity organized by PLAY International Kosovo

World Health Organization Recommendations

The WHO provides different information about the importance and impact that physical activity has on people. Example: 1) Insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide; 2) Insufficient physical activity is a key risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes; 3) Globally, 1 in 4 adults is not active enough; and 4) More than 80% of the world's adolescent population is insufficiently physically active.

Therefore, the WHO recommends that children and adolescents aged 5-17 should do at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity DAILY, and should include activities that strengthen muscles and bones at least 3 times per week.