A recent Scientific Reports study evaluates the long-term impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the causal agent of the continuing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on the physical fitness in young adults.

Study: The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical fitness in young adults: A historical control study. Image Credit: Aleksandar Malivuk / Shutterstock.com

Background

Physical fitness has been related to a wide selection of health advantages, including a reduced risk of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular events, and overall mortality rates. Considering these health advantages, regular exercise and physical activity have been beneficial across all age groups.

SARS-CoV-2 is extremely contagious and has rapidly spread worldwide, leading to the COVID-19 pandemic. To contain the pandemic, many national governments implemented pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical strategies. A few of these strategies, akin to nationwide lockdowns, made it difficult to keep up optimal physical fitness, as they often increased sedentary behavior and decreased physical activity levels.

Reduced physical activity and exercise result in increased weight gain and obesity. Several COVID-19 mitigation measures have also impacted the mental health of people, particularly young adults. Although these effects might be linked with fitness levels at a base level, few studies have assessed the long-term impact of COVID-19 on physical fitness.

In regards to the study

The present study evaluated the long-term longitudinal changes in physical fitness parameters amongst young adults one 12 months after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. All relevant data were obtained from two centers situated in Central and Central-East China. Participants were recruited from the Chinese Medical College, Hunan, and the Medical College of Jinhua Polytechnic, Zhejiang. 

Each institutions conducted the inaugural Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard (CNSPFS) battery between December 1, 2019, and January 20, 2020, before the national lockdown was initiated. A follow-up study was conducted one 12 months later, during which the CNSPFS battery was conducted between December 1, 2020, and January 20, 2021. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions were excluded from the cohort.

A historical group was established, which comprised the physical fitness data of scholars who enrolled in either of the 2 universities in 2018. For this group, the primary CNSPFS battery was performed one 12 months before the study, between 2018 and January 20, 2019.

Fitness scores were assessed based on multiple open-air track and field performances, akin to a 50-meter sprint, a standing long jump, an 800-meter run for females, a 1000-meter run for males, timed one-minute sit-ups for females, pull-ups for males, a sit and reach test, and vital lung capability tests. These tests allowed the researchers to evaluate aerobic endurance, anaerobic capability, muscular strength, explosive power, flexibility, and pulmonary function.

Study findings

A complete of 5376 individuals were recruited, and the mean age of the participants was 18 years. Of those individuals, 2,239 were assigned to the study group and three,137 to the control.

Most study participants in each groups were female and belonged to urban backgrounds. There was no significant difference in weight, body mass index (BMI), height, or socioeconomic status between the study and control group. A big difference was observed between the 2 groups when it comes to baseline sit-and-reach tests and one-minute sit-ups.

One 12 months after a pandemic-induced lockdown, a big reduction in various physical fitness parameters, akin to explosive power, aerobic and anaerobic capacities, and weight, was observed. These changes could have vital implications on health, particularly in patients with diabetes and heart problems, as this decrease in physical fitness could increase premature mortality risk.

Consistent with previous studies, the present study highlights a big decrease in fitness trajectories between lockdown-affected and unaffected groups. This decline in physical fitness is because of a mixture of things, including disruption of physical activity routines, pandemic-induced psychological stressors, and altered dietary habits.

Conclusions

The present study has some limitations, including the evaluation of a focused group of people, which could limit the generalizability of the findings for other populations. One other limitation of this study is the presence of inherent differences within the control and study groups.

Despite these limitations, the present study provides a novel approach to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical fitness. Pandemic-induced restrictions, including limits on outdoor activities and closure of fitness facilities, significantly affected physical activity levels, particularly amongst younger adults. This potential decrease in physical fitness can significantly exacerbate health risks.

The study findings emphasize the importance of continually promoting the advantages of physical activity during and beyond pandemics to stop long-term hostile effects related to health.