PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC; ANALYSIS OF CHANGES AND CORRELATES IN CROATIAN ADOLESCENTS

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the changes in physical activity levels (PAL). The purpose of this study was to determine the correlates of PAL during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents. This research included 209 adolescents aged 15-17 years from Croatia (89 boys, 120 girls). They were tested on anthropometrics, and fitness status (predictors). The fitness status was assessed before lockdown and included test of running 6 minutes (F6), jump rope, and sprint 100 meters. The PAL (assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents) was evidenced before- and during-lockdown and was observed as criteria. Changes in PAL between baseline and follow-up were evidenced by t-test for dependent samples. Associations between the fitness and anthropometric variables and PAL were evidenced by univariate and multivariate analyses. The PAL decreased significantly as a result of lockdown (t-test =3.46, p<0.001). In the total sample, significant correlations were found between aerobic endurance and sprinting, and baseline PAL (r=0.37; r=-0.32, respectively), aerobic endurance and follow-up PAL (r=0.34), sprint 100m and baseline to follow-up difference in PAL (r=-0.23). When gender stratified, correlations were significant only for boys. Better aerobic endurance determined baseline PAL, better sprint determined greater PAL decline as a result of lockdown. Results evidenced specific correlates of PAL before and during pandemic. Future studies investigating other correlates of PAL are warranted, to create interventions for maintaining adequate PAL during COVID-19 and similar crises.