Proposal for a Fitness Program in the School Setting during the COVID 19 Pandemic: Effects of an 8-Week CrossFit Program on Psychophysical Well-Being in Healthy Adolescents.

Stefania Cataldi,Vincenzo Cristian Francavilla,Roberto Carvutto,Ornella De Florio,Francesco Fischetti,Francesca Latino,Michele De Candia,Valerio Bonavolontà

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063141

Abstract

Background: The Italian government promoted social distancing, in which the suspension of any social event, suspension of all activities practiced in gyms, sports centers and their closure was ordered. The social distancing in the school environment and the use of strategies to limit viral infection are not very compatible with group motor activity and team sports. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of a CrossFit program in order to mitigate the deficits in fitness caused by COVID-19 prevention measures and to evaluate the effects on self-efficacy in a group of young adolescents. Methodsː 30 healthy participants were randomly allocated into an intervention group (IG) that performed the 8 weeks CrossFit training program or control group (CG). Physical fitness tests (i.e., Squat, push-up, lunge, and 20 m run) and psychological measures Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy scale (RESE) were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Resultsː After 8 weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements for all fitness tests (p < 0.0001). Additionally, higher scores for the RESE negative and positive (p < 0.0001) scales were found in the intervention group. No statistical differences were found in the control group except for the push up test. Conclusionsː the 8-week CrossFit intervention program could positively affect the general physical well-being and improve the emotional perceived self-efficacy in healthy adolescents.

Highlights

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused an unprecedented crisis, influencing the lives of millions of people worldwide [1]
In this particular juncture marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the school continues its work of teaching students and of promoting health and physical activity
This study demonstrated that CrossFit is feasible and efficacious for improving health-related fitness in adolescents [25]

Summary

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused an unprecedented crisis, influencing the lives of millions of people worldwide [1]. The adverse psychological effects are associated with a reduction in physical activity and increase in incorrect eating habits [9]. In this particular juncture marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the school continues its work of teaching students and of promoting health and physical activity. Some fitness programs can be a solution; an exercise program such as CrossFit can respect social distancing in the school gyms [10,11,12].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion