Effects of the non-face-to-face learning on health-related physical fitness and balance in adolescents according to covid-19

Lee, K. J.; Seo, K. W.; An, K. O.

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 (p<.05). Body fat, muscle strength (hip flexion, hip extension), and Y-Balance test exhibited significant differences in the female group (p<.05). Hip extension muscle strength exhibited a significant difference in the male group (p<.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 (p<.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 adoles-cents. © 2021 Korean Society of Exercise Physiology.