Effects of the Non-Face-To-Face Learning on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Balance in Adolescents According to COVID-19

Abstract

PURPOSE:This study aimed to examine the effects of non-face-to-face learning on health-related physical fitness and balance in adolescents according to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).METHODS:Twenty-nine middle-school students (14 girls and 15 boys) were enrolled. We measured the students’ health-related physical fitness (body composition, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiac endurance) and balance (static and dynamic) before and after 12 weeks of non-face-to-face learning without any exercise intervention. Cardiac endurance was measured using the Harvard step test.RESULTS: Body fat, muscle strength (hip flexion, hip extension, knee flexion, knee extension), and Y-balance test exhibited significant differences before and after non-face-to-face learning (<i>p</i><.05). Body fat, muscle strength (hip flexion, hip extension), and Y-Balance test exhibited significant differences in the female group (<i>p</i><.05). Hip extension muscle strength exhibited a significant difference in the male group (<i>p</i><.05). Analysis of covariance showed that muscle strength (hip extension and knee extension) and Harvard step of the female group were significantly decreased compared to the male group (<i>p</i><.05).CONCLUSIONS: Non-face-to-face classes according to COVID-19 had a negative effect on health-related physical fitness and balance in adolescents. Particularly, the muscle strength and cardiac endurance of female adolescents were lower than those of male adolescents.