ABSTRACT
Asia outnumbers the rest of the world as far as the percentage of overweight children is concerned, with the extent of obesity ranging between 4-30% among children across different regions of India. Physical activity is associated with reduced adipose tissue, altered gene expression, improved musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system functions and enhanced intellectual performance in individuals. This chapter explores age and gender specific physical activity patterns and physical fitness levels among children in India. Evidence suggests that trends of physical activity among children are on decline as their age increases. Girls exhibit lesser inclination towards physical activity as compared to boys. COVID-19 Pandemic has caused near cessation of outdoor physical activities worldwide. Indoor games, dance, gardening, house cleaning and other active recreational activities can be pursued during this time. Parent involvement in physical activity interventions along children has shown to be more beneficial. Schools may incorporate test batteries to evaluate physical fitness of children at regular intervals as ways to encourage them to be more physically active. © 2022 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Long duration of quarantine has shown to significantly influence lifestyles of the entire population. The study was taken to determine the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic era on physical, mental, recreational and socio-economic factors of the general population of India. Four hundred and forty healthy volunteers were enrolled from different zones of the country using chain-referral sampling in a web-based E-survey on Google form platforms. A structured and validated questionnaire consisting of participants' demographic details, physical, mental, recreational and socio-economic changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic was sent via social networking sites (WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger). The association between demographic characteristics and self-reported physical, mental, recreational and socio-economic changes by participants during COVID-19 crisis was analyzed using chi square and spearman rho test. The response rate to survey was (sent to 500 individuals;440 reverted back) 88%. The demographic characteristics were significantly associated with physical, mental, recreational and socioeconomic changes observed during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis among the general population (p < 0.05). Strict compliance was observed among (n=239) 54.31% participants who were staying indoors all the time during the Lockdown phase. (n= 238) 54.18% reported they were regularly performing moderate-intensity activities (50%-70% Max. HR), (n=282) 64% were indulging in recreational activities and (n=322) 73.18% participants were doing regular household chores. (n=269) 61.13% self-reported being happy. Financial loss was perceived by (n=230) 52.27% of participants. Amid all this external state of crisis significantly large proportion of participants were observed being in a happy relaxed state of mind and also utilized this time to gain health benefits and pursue their hobbies. Overall Participants self-reported an enhanced sense of wellbeing.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has upended sports and sporting calendars worldwide;causing postponement or cancellations of sports events globally. Amid the lockdown, most of the athletes are left on their own at their homes. This study investigates the impact of the ongoing Pandemic on physical, psychological and nutritional characteristics of elite athletes amid COVID-19 spread. A cross sectional web survey was carried out using a validated questionnaire comprising of total 19 questions regarding the demographic details, physical, psychological and nutritional characteristics of elite athletes before and after COVID-19 Spread. The normality of data was established using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The frequency and percentage n (%) of ordinal data of participant responses were calculated. A total of ninety four elite athletes voluntarily participated, out of which 73 (78%) were male athletes. 40% were professional cricketers followed by 10% badminton and 10% table tennis players and rest 40% belong to various other sports. 76% of total athletes played their sport at the national level The vigorous intensity training schedules were routinely adapted by 39 (42%) of total athletes before the lockdown phase amid COVID-19 spread which reduced to 9(10%) afterwards. 59(63%) of total athletes self reported being in relaxed mood. 37 (39%) felt disturbed about the cancellation of tournaments and their inability to practice. Daily calorie intake was increased among 26 (28%) of athletes. Covid-19 spread has significantly impacted training regimes, eating habits, and state of mind of elite athletes. Although majority of athletes reported being in a relaxed and happy state of mind, however long periods of re-training and psychological counseling would be required to reverse the effects of detraining caused due to the ongoing Pandemic crisis.