Physical activity and mental health in school-aged children: a prospective two-wave study during the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Because physical activity (PA) has many benefits for children's and adolescents' mental health, it has been suggested that PA may be an effective strategy to physically and mentally recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested the reciprocal relationship between PA and mental health during the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. It was hypothesized that mental health during the pandemic would determine how much children and adolescents re-engage in PA after easing the restrictions. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that PA engagement would predict mental health improvement after the pandemic.

Methods

This was a prospective study with two measurement occasions. Pretest data collection was undertaken in February 2022, shortly before German authorities eased and

SUBMITTER: Kopp PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10765890 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature