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. 2022 Jun 18;12(6):655-665.
doi: 10.3390/ejihpe12060049.

Self-Declared Physical Activity Levels and Self-Reported Physical Fitness in a Sample of Italian Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alessandro Gatti  1 , Lorenzo Pugliese  2 , Vittoria Carnevale Pellino  1   3 , Marco Del Bianco  2 , Matteo Vandoni  1 , Nicola Lovecchio  4
Affiliations

Self-Declared Physical Activity Levels and Self-Reported Physical Fitness in a Sample of Italian Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alessandro Gatti et al. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. .

Abstract

Only 20% of children worldwide reach the suggested physical activity (PA) levels, and the COVID-19 restrictions seemed to have worsened this situation. In addition, physical fitness (PF) is a crucial marker of health and combined with PA could predict future health status. The aim of this study was to compare reported PA and PF levels in a sample of Italian adolescents. We administered the International PA Questionnaire and International Fitness Enjoyment Scale to 208 adolescents aged 16.0 ± 1.5 (N = 166 females, 16 ± 2.0 years) recruited from a high school in the province of Milan (Italy). The majority of the subjects were "Minimally active" but reported adequate PF levels. In particular, subjects who reported a "Very good" PF perception, had a lower PA level. The misperception of reported PA and PF from our sample could reduce the future PA level in adolescents and lead to a negative spiral of disengagement in PA. These findings should lead to more attention on and improvements to PA promotion in the adolescent population after the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; physical activity level; physical fitness; self-perception; self-reported physical fitness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart algorithm for the analysis of IPAQ short form.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Stratification of PA level categories within the self-declaration of General fitness.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Stratification of PA level categories within the self-declaration of Cardiorespiratory fitness.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Stratification of PA level categories within the self-declaration of Muscular strength.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Stratification of PA level categories within the self-declaration of Speed–agility.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Stratification of PA level categories within the self-declaration of Flexibility.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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