A research group led by Professor Hideshi Sugiura of Nagoya University Graduate School, in collaboration with the Mikawa Aoitori Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Aichi Prefecture, is targeting first-year elementary school children with "physical function" before and after the declaration of an emergency due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection. Investigate the difference in the exercise equipment medical examination.After the state of emergency was declared, "balance function" was lower, "body fat percentage" was higher, and the risk of "fall" and "obesity" was higher.
There are few studies in the world that directly measure and investigate the difference in "physical function" of children before and after the declaration of emergency due to the new coronavirus, and it is not found in Japan.Therefore, the research group investigated the effect of activity restrictions due to the state of emergency on the physical function (ability of the body) of children.The evaluation items were body fat percentage, one-leg standing time, grip strength, gait, and the number of falls in one month.
In the study (December 2018-December 12), 2020 children (12 boys and 6 girls) aged 7 to 110 years who participated in the locomotorium medical examination were targeted, and the results were measured by measuring physical function. Compared.
As a result, the children after the declaration of emergency had lower "balance function" and higher "body fat percentage" than the children before the declaration.In addition, it was found that children after the declaration of an emergency were associated with a decrease in "balance function", an increase in "number of falls", and an increase in "body fat percentage", and in particular, "fall risk" was before the declaration. It was 1.899 times that of children.Furthermore, although the "physical activity time" was longer than that of the pre-declared children, it was suggested that the quality of exercise may not be sufficiently guaranteed.
The results of this research will be an important source of information for preventing the deterioration of physical function of children after the declaration of emergency is lifted.In particular, it is important to evaluate "balance function" and "body fat percentage", and the challenge is to provide an appropriate exercise program that guarantees quality in order to improve function.
Paper information:[International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health] Effect of the COVID-19 Emergency on Physical Function among School-Aged Children
