Changes in adolescent physical activity levels pre and post COVID-19 in Ireland

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for at least, on average, 60 minutes per day, and muscle strengthening exercises at least three times a week for adolescent health. Lockdowns, sports club and school closures during COVID-19 limited children's PA opportunities. The aim of this study was to examine changes in PA behaviour among students in schools undertaking a PA intervention (the Active School Flag: ASF) over three consecutive years. METHODS: ASF is a whole school intervention. Its aim is to increase student PA opportunities and thus, PA levels. ASF implementation team includes students, teachers and school management. Using a repeated cross-sectional panel study design, all students in five pilot ASF schools were invited to complete the ASF whole-school survey in September 2019, 2020 and 2021. Descriptive statistics, contingency tables and multi-logistic regression analyses evaluated changes in PA behaviour over time. RESULTS: Students in five schools (N = 7530, 33% male; 65% female, 2% other) took part. Physical inactivity (WHO guidelines for only 0-2days) dropped from 25% in 2019 to 22% in 2020 and 23% in 2021. Analysis by gender showed females to be most active in 2020 (p = .004). No significant changes, over time, were found for muscle-strengthening exercises. Four out of the five schools reported a significant increase in active travel and a decrease in car transport behaviour from 2019-2021, no gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 public health restrictions varied over the duration of this study (higher in 2020 than at other time points). Little or no change in overall PA or muscle-strengthening exercises was established, yet significant increases in active transport to and from school were reported. Further research should explore mechanisms and the potential of a displacement hypothesis for types of PA change during this time. KEY MESSAGES: • COVID-19 movement restrictions, such as lockdowns, school and sports club closures contributed to increases in active transport to and from school, while other forms of PA remained largely unchanged. • The Active School Flag may be an effective programme to reduce the amount of students who are physically inactive.