Naslov
Levels and factors of influence on physical activity among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Autori
Gilić, Barbara

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Ocjenski radovi, doktorska disertacija

Fakultet
Kineziološki fakultet

Mjesto
Zagreb

Datum
12.10

Godina
2022

Stranica
127

Mentor
Sekulić, Damir

Ključne riječi
youth ; physical exercise ; physical education ; crisis outbreak ; public health

Sažetak
The main aim of this doctoral thesis is (i) to determine the changes in physical activity levels (PAL) because of the pandemic and measures of social distancing and (ii) to determine the factors that are associated with PAL and changes in PAL among adolescents due to social distancing measures. Precisely, Study 1 aimed to determine the associations between gender and fitness status ; Study 2 aimed to determine the association of living environment ; Study 3 aimed to determine the association of familial factors ; and Study 4 aimed to determine the associations between substance use and misuse and sports participation with PAL and PAL changes among adolescents due to social distancing measures. Studies were carried out on adolescents from Croatia (Study 1 and Study 2) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Study 3 and Study 4), all attending high school. All studies followed a similar testing procedure that consisted of two testing points: baseline, conducted before lockdown (during February and early March 2020), and follow-up, conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown (during April 2020). Study 1 included 388 adolescents aged 16.4±1.9 years from southern Croatia. During the baseline testing, participants were assessed on PAL (assessed with PAQ-A), gender (female/male), anthropometrics(body height, mass, body mass index), and physical fitness tests (long jump, bent-arm hold test, sit and reach test, 400 meters running, beep test, and the maximal number of abdominal sit-ups in 60 seconds). Follow- up testing included only PAL assessment. Results of Study 1 evidenced a significant PAL decline for the total sample (t-test = 3.46, p<0.001), primarily influenced by PAL decrease in boys (t-test=5.15, p<0.001). The fitness status was consistently positively correlated with PAL at both testing waves among boys and girls, and the most evident association was noted between anaerobic and aerobic endurance capacities and PAL. Differences in changes in PAL between genders were most likely related to the fact that boys' PAL is mostly related to sports participation. Associations between fitness status and PAL indicate the importance of physical literacy in maintaining PAL in challenging circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 2 included 823 adolescents aged 16.5±2.1 years from Split, Croatia. During the baseline testing, participants were assessed on PAL (using PAQ-A), gender, anthropometrics, physical fitness tests, and living environment (urban/rural). Follow-up testing included only PAL assessment. The results of Study 2 showed a considerable influence of the living environment on the PAL decrease, with a larger decrease in urban adolescents (F=2.98, p<0.001). Logistic regression showed a higher likelihood for normal PAL at baseline in adolescents with better fitness status, with no strong confounding effect of the urban/rural environment. Dynamic strength (OR:1.44, 95% CI:1.22–1.68), aerobic endurance (OR:1.64, 95% CI:1.10–2.24), and anaerobic endurance (OR:0.79, 95% CI:0.60–0.980) were positively correlated with normal PAL at follow-up. The differences between rural and urban adolescents regarding the established changes in PAL are explained by the characteristics of the living communities (i.e., lack of sports clubs and activities in rural areas) and the level of restrictive measures in the studied region and country. Study 3 included 688 adolescents (15–18 years of age) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The baseline testing included assessment of PAL (using PAQ-A), sociodemographic-, parental-, and familial factors, while follow-up included only PAL assessment. In Study 3, a significant decline in PAL was recorded between two testing points (t-test: 11.88, p < 0.001). Father’s education was positively correlated (baseline: OR (95%CI): 6.63 (4.58–9.96), follow-up: 3.33 (1.19– 7.01)), and familial conflict was inversely correlated (baseline: 0.72 (0.57–0.90), follow-up: 0.77 (0.60–0.99)) with PAL before and during the pandemic. Study 3 evidenced that family cohesion and higher parental educational level reduce the incidence of PAL decline during the pandemic. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of the parent-child relationship and parental support in promoting PA during regular life and challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 4 included 661 students aged 15–18 years attending high school from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Baseline testing consisted of PAL assessment (by PAQ-A), sports factors, and substance use and misuse factors. Follow-up testing during the COVID-19 lockdown included only the PAL assessment. Baseline sports factors, including individual-sports participation, team-sports participation, sports experience, and sports achievements, were higher in adolescents with a sufficient PAL at follow-up (MWZ: 6.65, 7.95, 7.48, and 6.78, respectively, p < 0.01). Smoking cigarettes negatively affected PAL at follow-up (MWZ: 1.56, p = 0.04). Drinking alcohol was positively correlated with PAL at baseline (MWZ: 1.56, p = 0.04), while it did not affect follow-up PAL. The results of Study 4 confirmed the value of sports participation in attaining PAL during the COVID‑19 lockdown. The influence of substance use and misuse on PAL before and during the pandemic points to adolescents' social and cultural aspects of substance use and misuse behaviors.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kineziologija

POVEZANOST RADA