Abstract
Preventative measures taken worldwide to decrease the transmission of COVID-19 have had a tremendous impact on youth. Following social restrictions, youth with and without physical disabilities are engaging in less physical activity, more increased sedentary behavior, and poor sleep habits. Specifically, youth wheelchair users (YWU) are likely disproportionately affected by COVID- 19 and have a higher risk of contraction due to underlying comorbidities. While we cannot control all of the negative long-term implications of COVID-19 for YWU, participation in positive 24-h activity behaviors can decrease chronic disease risk and the likelihood of long-term complications resulting from infection. This commentary is to extend the discourse on the importance of 24-h activity behaviors by focusing on YWU. Specifically, we discuss the importance of chronic disease prevention, provide a brief overview of 24-h activity behaviors, and outline some of the lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges worldwide
We discuss the importance of chronic disease prevention, provide a brief overview of 24-h activity behaviors (24-AB), and outline some of the lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
We have focused on youth wheelchair users (YWU) due to the high likelihood of their 24-AB being impacted by the COVID-19 social restrictions, the high risk of developing severe illness and complications following a COVID-19 infection due to underlying health conditions and co-morbidities [12,13], and the potential for improved mental and physical health outcomes with decreased sedentary behavior (SB), increased physical activity (PA) and/or improved sleep habits
Summary
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges worldwide. The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on physical activity (PA) levels in adults has been mixed due to research studies reporting decreased exercise engagement [2,3,4], the maintenance of PA levels [5], or even increased exercise practice [5,6] Among children, these closures have had primarily a negative impact on 24-h activity behaviors (24-AB) [1], including decreased PA, increased sedentary behavior (SB), and poor sleep habits in the sedentary profiles in children [7,8,9]. We have focused on YWU due to the high likelihood of their 24-AB being impacted by the COVID-19 social restrictions, the high risk of developing severe illness and complications following a COVID-19 infection due to underlying health conditions and co-morbidities [12,13], and the potential for improved mental and physical health outcomes with decreased SB, increased PA and/or improved sleep habits
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