Journal article 674 views 74 downloads
Qualitative changes in children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviours throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: The HomeSPACE project
,
Michael Sheldrick,
Nils Swindell,
Harriet Barker,
Joanne Hudson ,
Gareth Stratton
PLOS ONE, Volume: 18, Issue: 1, Start page: e0280653
Swansea University Authors:
Amie Richards , Michael Sheldrick, Nils Swindell, Harriet Barker, Joanne Hudson , Gareth Stratton
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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pone.0280653
Abstract
Opportunities for children to be physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic were limited, resulting in a decrease in overall physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour during the lockdown restrictions of the pandemic. This study further explored these changes across various stages...
| Published in: | PLOS ONE |
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| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62332 |
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| Abstract: |
Opportunities for children to be physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic were limited, resulting in a decrease in overall physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour during the lockdown restrictions of the pandemic. This study further explored these changes across various stages of the restrictions, starting during the first UK-wide lockdown in March 2020 through to the “new normal” in December 2021. Nine families, consisting of eleven children (36% girls, 64% boys; aged 13.38 years ± 1.14), eight mothers and one father were tracked throughout this time, using semi-structured interviews to explore the fluctuations in physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the home environment in the context of self-determination theory. Findings indicate that as restrictions eased, physical activity within the home decreased, as children were exposed to more opportunities at school and in the community; these opportunities seemingly increased children’s motivation to be physically active through increasing levels of their basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Some children’s physical activity levels have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, with a newfound enjoyment for being physically active. Whilst others now prefer to pursue more sedentary behaviours that became habitual during the lockdown restrictions. Accessible opportunities now need to be promoted to drive up children’s motivations to be physically active following the years of uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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| Keywords: |
COVID-19; children; physical activity; sedentary behaviour; home |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
This research was funded by The Waterloo Foundation, grant number 1158-4281. Amie B Richards has a PhD Scholarship from Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS). It is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys, grant number c80815. |
| Issue: |
1 |
| Start Page: |
e0280653 |