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. 2024 Feb 15;16(1):47.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00833-5.

Comparison of the level of physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic

D Líška  1 , S Rutkowski  2 , L Oplatková  3 , J Sýkora  1 , M Pupiš  1 , J Novák  3 , E Urbářová  4 , A Rutkowska  2 , A Busch  5 , Alena Kobesova  6   7
Affiliations

Comparison of the level of physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic

D Líška et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with limited physical activity (PA) of most of the world's population. This cross-sectional prospective study aimed to assess the levels of PA of university students in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia after COVID-19 using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF).

Methods: A total of 2635 students completed questionnaires regarding their PA levels using the IPAQ-SF between September and December 2022.

Results: PA measured by metabolic equivalent of task (MET) scores, varied between the three countries: Slovakia median MET-minutes/week score 4459.9; Czech Republic 3838.8 Poland 3567.1. The results of the post hoc analysis revealed there were significant differences in MET-minutes/week values between the Czech Republic and Poland (p < 0.035) as well as between the Czech Republic and Slovakia (p < 0.037). The analysis of energetic expenditure during walking revealed that students from the Czech Republic and Slovakia had higher median MET-min/weeks values (Czech 2284.1; Slovak 2467.1) compared to their Polish (1536.1) peers (p < 0.001). Polish cohort presented with significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) than Czech and Slovak groups (BMI Czech: 22.3; Slovak 22.8; Polish 23.8).

Conclusions: Significant differences in PA levels between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia university students were identified. Slovakia showed the highest median PA measured as a MET score, and Poland showed the lowest. Compared to available pre-COVID studies it seems the total level of PA in the observed cohorts has not returned to the pre-COVID levels and students remain less active.

Keywords: International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ); Pandemic COVID-19; Physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comparison of physical activity results between countries
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