Investigation of the change in the physical activity levels of students when the curfew was applied during the COVID-19 pandemic period

ABSTRACT

It is important to develop approaches to encourage physical activity so that people can lead a healthy life. This study was conducted to compare the physical activity status of students during the Covid-19 pandemic period when the curfew was applied and the restriction was not applied. The sample group of the study consisted of a total of 254 participants, 108 women and 146 men, studying at Tekirdag Namik Kemal University Faculty of Sport Sciences. In the study, the International Physical Activity-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to determine the physical activity status of individuals. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Paired Sample T Test were applied to compare the analysis of the variables of individuals by gender, before and during the curfew. In this study, the level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. According to the results obtained, students' vigorous physical activities before and during restraint (p<0.05;2494), walking (p<0.05;2354) and total physical activity (p <0.05;2 541) parameters were found to be significantly different. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the parameters of walking (p<0.05;2411) and total physical activity (p<0.05;2377) of female students before and during the restraint. Between the parameters of vigorous physical activities before and during restraint (p<0.05;213.499), walking (p <0.05;2312) and total physical activity (p<0.05;2669) of male students was found to be a significant difference. As a result, it was determined that the total physical activity levels of the students decreased significantly when the curfew was applied.