COVID-19 Versus University Students Physical Activity

Ales Sekot,Irena Durda

doi:10.11648/j.ijsspe.20210603.12

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the paper is to present the results of a recent research survey (February 2021) in a broader context of the issue to determine whether university students devote themselves as much as possible to specific sports and physical activities even at the time of the ongoing pandemic associated with the spread of COVID-19. METHODS: To meet the objectives of the research survey, the method of questioning – an online questionnaire – was chosen. The total number of the university students who were addressed was 1164, 530 first-year students answered. The questionnaires were subjected to the statistical classification of the first-level data. RESULTS: The results of the research confirmed that first-year students of all VSB-TUO faculties, who as graduates of the relevant secondary school could no longer complete the subject Physical Education due to pandemic measures, preferred unorganized physical activities in accordance with the situation, such as walks, including walking the dog. 34.8% of respondents answered that they “did not miss sport” or that they “were not interested in sport at all”. CONCLUSION: The study summarizes the latest reflections on impersonal forms of teaching of Physical Education on the motivation and intensity of sports and physical activities within the general level of foreign surveys as well.

Highlights

The rapid and inexorable worldwide spread of the disease known as COVID-19 – presents, for Physical Education professionals, new and unforeseen challenges related to an unpredictable situation
Online Physical Education as the swift response to such situation the period of closing of schools and the months of social distancing have shifted the site of learning to the home: Physical Education (PE) and organized active recess time that would typically occur in school have been either cancelled or made a part of digital home-schooling as distance education and online learning [7], The present pandemic in such perspective has merely punctuated the need to explore integrating such innovations into 21st-century teaching and learning
A body of evidence already exists to suggest that, when supported with appropriate pedagogical practices, digital technologies, such as social media, blogs, video analysis, and video games can be effectively integrated into Physical Education to enhance students’ learning [1]. In such context we can speak about new challenges of pandemic situation, compared to students enrolled in in-person programmes [18]

Summary

Introduction

The rapid and inexorable worldwide spread of the disease known as COVID-19 – presents, for Physical Education professionals, new and unforeseen challenges related to an unpredictable situation. A body of evidence already exists to suggest that, when supported with appropriate pedagogical practices, digital technologies, such as social media, blogs, video analysis, and video games can be effectively integrated into Physical Education to enhance students’ learning [1]. In such context we can speak about new challenges of pandemic situation, (e.g., teacher feedback and responsiveness, understanding and interest related to the content, and perceived health gains) compared to students enrolled in in-person programmes [18]. Physical activity is one of the strongest weapons in the fight against diseases of civilization, it serves to strengthen physical and mental health [5]

The Importance of Sports Activities

COVID-19 Versus Physical Activity

Findings

Conclusion