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. 2024 Jun 6;24(1):1522.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-19035-2.

The "supercompensation" effect of children's lockdown during COVID-19: based on the analysis of changes in physical activity, sleep, and psychology

Yunong Li  1 , Guanggao Zhao  2 , Liqiang Su  3 , Jinmei Fu  4 , Shunli Sun  4 , Ruiming Chen  1 , Delong Chen  1 , Xuewen Hu  1 , Tianle Jiang  1 , Fanchao Shen  1
Affiliations

The "supercompensation" effect of children's lockdown during COVID-19: based on the analysis of changes in physical activity, sleep, and psychology

Yunong Li et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the "supercompensation" effect of preschoolers during the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown by comparing the changes in physical activity (PA), psychological, and sleep indicators before and after the lockdown.

Methods: A total of 127 children (aged 3-6 years) were recruited. Before and after the lockdown, the children's PA levels were measured using the ActiGraph GT3X+, and their psychological and sleep indicators were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Child Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ), respectively.

Results: Regarding PA, the children's total physical activity, low-intensity physical activity, and medium-intensity physical activity (MVPA) were higher after the lockdown than before the lockdown, with significant differences in MVPA (p < 0.05). Regarding psychology, the children's SDQ and multidimensional scores were better after the lockdown than before the lockdown, with a significant difference in SDQ scores (p < 0.05). Regarding sleep, the children's CSHQ scores were better after the lockdown than before the lockdown, with a highly significant difference in CSHQ scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: After lockdown, children's PA, psychological, and sleep effects were "supercompensated." In particular, the PA of preschoolers before, during, and after the lockdown may show a "baseline-inhibition-supercompensation" process.

Keywords: Lockdown; Physical activity; Preschooler; Psychological; Sleep; Supercompensation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sankey diagram of preschoolers’ MVPA before and after lockdown
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sankey diagram of preschoolers’ SDQ score rates before and after lockdown
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Sankey diagram of preschoolers’ CSHQ score rates before and after lockdown
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The “supercompensation” of preschoolers’ physical activity before, during, and after lockdown
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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