Sedentary behavior, physical activity level and executive function development in students during Covid-19 in Chile: a pilot estudy

ABSTRACT

The confinement caused by the current health situation has unleashed an increase in sedentary behaviors in childhood, causing uncertainty about the effects that have impacted their child development. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of sedentary behavior on the level of physical activity and development of executive functions in second cycle basic students during the confinement caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The methodology was descriptive, having a quantitative approach and the data collection was carried out through two questionnaires applied to 41 students in an age range between 10 to 12 years, belonging to educational establishments in the Maule region, Nuble. and Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins in Chile. The main results indicate that sedentary behaviors influence the level of physical activity as well as the improvement of executive functions, regardless of geographic location, sex or age. It is concluded that it is necessary to promote actions aimed at using more of the free time to practice physical activity, with the intention of breaking sedentary habits and increasing their levels in order to reduce the negative consequences that this type of behavior can bring.