Investigation of the Effect of the Covid 19 Pandemic Process on the Physical Activity Times of Youth

Abstract

Objective: To examine the change in physical performance of university students before and during the Covid 19 pandemic and the differences of this change by gender and age groups. Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted as an online survey through ‘Google documents’ for university students who closed down with the outbreak of the Covid-19 outbreak and isolated themselves at home. 220 volunteer students, aged between 18 and 25 years, studying at the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at the Faculty of Health Sciences, participated in the survey. 20 students with various health problems were excluded from the study. Results: 200 people, 26% of whom were men, with an average age of 20,65 ± 1,63 were included in the study. It was determined that young people slept significantly more during the pandemic than before the pandemic (p<0,001). When we look at the average daily walking times, the average daily walking time of men was significantly higher than women, both before and during the pandemic (p<0,001). The walking time of the youth was significantly decreased during the pandemic compared to before (p<0,001). When we look at the average daily lying down and the average daily sitting time, no significant difference was found between genders and age groups before and after the pandemic (p> 0,05). While there was no difference in the duration of daily mild and heavy daily activity between the two processes (p>0,05), it was found that the time spent in moderate activity decreased significantly (p<0,001). Conclusion: While the Covid 19 pandemic continues, it should be aimed to increase the physical activity time, which is reduced, considering the impact on public health as soon as possible. For this purpose, home-based activities are the most important opportunities to keep people fit and healthy. © 2021, Selcuk University. All rights reserved.