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. 2021 Feb 2;8(2):98.
doi: 10.3390/children8020098.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Interrelation of Physical Activity, Screen Time and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents in Germany: Results of the Motorik-Modul Study

Kathrin Wunsch  1 , Carina Nigg  1 , Claudia Niessner  1 , Steffen C E Schmidt  1 , Doris Oriwol  1   2 , Anke Hanssen-Doose  2 , Alexander Burchartz  1 , Ana Eichsteller  1 , Simon Kolb  1 , Annette Worth  2 , Alexander Woll  1
Affiliations

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Interrelation of Physical Activity, Screen Time and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents in Germany: Results of the Motorik-Modul Study

Kathrin Wunsch et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Reduced physical activity (PA) and prolonged screen time (ST) negatively influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a protective factor against illness and mortality. Studies addressing the relationship between PA, ST, and mental health in youth are scarce, especially in times with high mental health burdens like the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this examination was to investigate whether PA, ST, and HRQoL before COVID-19 predict PA, ST, and HRQoL during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants from the Motorik-Modul Study (MoMo; N = 1711; Mage = 10.36 (SD = 4.04) years, female = 49.8%; healthy weight = 76.8%) self-reported their PA and ST as well as HRQoL both before and during COVID-19. Relationships of all variables, from before to during COVID-19, were investigated through a path prediction model. Results showed all variables during COVID-19 were predicted by the respective levels before COVID-19, independent of gender and age. Cross-lags revealed a negative influence of before COVID-19 ST on during COVID-19 PA. HRQoL before COVID-19 was positively associated with during COVID-19 PA in children younger than 10 years and females, but not in adolescents and boys. As age- and gender-independent negative influence of before COVID-19 ST on during COVID-19 PA has been detected, health policy may be advised to focus on a general reduction in ST instead of PA enhancement to ensure high PA levels.

Keywords: COVID-19; KIDSCREEN-10; coronavirus; physical activity; quality of life; screen time; sedentary behavior; subjective physical activity assessment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Survey administration schedule regarding COVID-19 restrictions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationships between PA, ST, and HRQoL pre- and within-COVID-19. Note: PA = physical activity, ST = sedentary time, HRQoL = health-related quality of life. Only significant relationships (p < 0.05) are reported. All estimates are standardized estimates.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Relationships between PA, ST, and HRQoL pre- and within-COVID-19 stratified by gender (males and females). Note: PA = physical activity, ST = sedentary time, HRQoL = health-related quality of life. Only significant relationships (p < 0.05) are reported. All estimates are standardized estimates.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Relationships between PA, ST, and HRQoL pre- and within-COVID-19 stratified by age group (children; 4–10 years/adolescents; 11–17 years). Note: PA = physical activity, ST = sedentary time, HRQoL = health-related quality of life. Only significant relationships (p < 0.05) are reported. All estimates are standardized estimates.
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