Physical activity levels among adolescents in a low socioeconomic school in South Africa using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with comparative reflection of COVID-19 restrictions on physical activity
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Keywords

Physical activity
Covid-19 restrictions
Low socioeconomic school
Adolescents

How to Cite

Physical activity levels among adolescents in a low socioeconomic school in South Africa using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with comparative reflection of COVID-19 restrictions on physical activity. (2024). Undergraduate Research in Health Journal, 2(2), e1756. https://doi.org/10.1796/

Abstract

Background. Physical activity (PA) significantly contributes to adolescents’ wellbeing and physical development and is often driven by peer and school involvement. COVID-19 restrictions in South Africa (SA) altered adolescents’ lifestyles, especially in low socioeconomic (LSE) areas compared with higher socioeconomic areas.

Objectives. To determine current PA levels and examine the perceived impact of COVID-19 restrictions on PA among adolescents aged 15 - 17 years in an LSE school in SA.

Methods. A descriptive quantitative study with both cross-sectional and retrospective designs was conducted. Convenience sampling targeted Grade 10 adolescents aged 15 - 17 years, from Crestway High School (CHS). On 29 August 2023, 80 participants completed an International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to measure current PA levels and a self-developed COVID-19 Restrictions Questionnaire (SCRQ) to assess the perceived impact of COVID-19 restrictions on PA levels. Researchers cleaned the IPAQ data according to the IPAQ analysis protocol. Results. After data cleaning, the IPAQ results of 59 participants showed that 10.17% (n=6) had low-intensity PA scores, 23.73% (n=14) had high- intensity PA scores and 66.10% (n=39) had moderate-intensity PA scores. From the 80 participants who completed the SCRQ, 70% (n=56) reported an impact of COVID-19 restrictions on PA. The average duration of PA during the restrictions was ~25.71 minutes.

Conclusion. Current PA levels are suboptimal compared with the World Health Organization guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA daily. Adolescents’ PA levels were negatively impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, highlighting the need to embed PA education and training sessions within the curriculum.

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Copyright (c) 2024 N Dlamini, I Webber, L Herbert, D Hlongwane, R Fairfull, N Ntinga