Substantiation of volume of health-enhancing physical activity for school-age children on the quarantine

Abstract

Objective. Development of guidelines of healthy physical activity volume for school-age children of the quarantine measures Materials and methods. Results of a survey of physical activity (PA) and mental health of children and adolescents of school age (n=1354) were included in the study. Anthropometrical-physiological parameters and the level of well-being were determined in 39 children of primary school age. The optimal duration and frequency of various PA for different age and gender groups was determined by constructing linear regression models. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA 8.0. Results and discussion. Increased physical activity significantly reduces depression (r=– 0,25; p<0,001) and anxiety levels (r=– 0,14; p<0,001). Also the relationship between the duration of MVPA and anxiety indicators (r=–0.10; p<0.001) and depression indicators (r=–0,22; p<0,001) was determined. The recommended duration of the total PA (PAt, more than 2 hours a day) was observed during the quarantine by 42.5±2.4% of students of the younger age group, 36.6±2.3% of students of the middle age group and 33.3±2.3% high school students. It is determined that the chances having the middle and high levels of well-being are 8 times higher in the group of children who have PAt more 2 hours/day during the quarantine (OR = 8,0; CІ 1,54-41,63) and are 8,2 times higher - who have MVPA more 60 minute/day (OR = 8,17; CІ 1,41-47,22). The indicator of the total duration of physical activity was normalized according to the maximum value of the indicator for each age group and gender to check the developed standards. Conclusions. It is determined that the daily duration PAt for school-age children during the quarantine measures for the purpose of prevention depression disorders should be more 2 hours/day for primary school children and 2.2 hours/day for adolescents. The favorable for mental health minimal duration of MVPA, which is typical of most sports, for primary school children is amount 60 minutes/day for boys and 40 minutes/day for girls, for adolescents is 60 minutes/day for boys and 45 minutes/day for girls. The daily duration of MVPA for preventing of depressive disorders of primary school children is about 40 minutes/day for girls and about 60 minutes/day for boys. For preventing of anxiety disorders of primary school children is about 40 minutes/day for girls and about 50 minutes/day for boys, respectively. A single health-enhancing duration of sporting activity is 1,2-1,5 hours for primary school children and 1,5-2,0 hours for adolescents.