Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on movement behaviours of children and adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionSeveral studies have examined how the lockdown restrictions enforced to halt the spread of COVID-19 have affected children and adolescents’ movement behaviours, but there is a need to synthesise these findings. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review to examine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on children and adolescents’ movement behaviours.MethodsWe searched eight databases and grey literature for relevant studies of all study designs; and conducted a narrative analysis of the results following synthesis without meta-analysis guidelines. We used appropriate tools to assess the risk of bias in quantitative and qualitative studies. We compared changes in physical activity, screen time and sleep duration and quality from before to during the COVID-19 lockdown.ResultsThis review included 71 studies reporting data from 35 countries and territories, mostly from high-income economies. A majority of the studies used a cross-sectional design and had fair to poor-quality ratings. Most studies reported reduced physical activity, increased screen time and longer sleep hours among children and adolescents. Children and adolescents facing strict lockdowns saw a larger decline in physical activity and a sharper increase in screen time than those under mild restrictions.ConclusionCOVID-19-related lockdowns were detrimental to children and adolescents’ movement behaviours, with stricter lockdowns tending to have a bigger impact. Children and adolescents under COVID-19 restrictions are likely to be less active, spend more time on screen, and sleep longer hours than before the lockdown. More studies from low-income and middle-income countries could provide a clearer picture of the impact.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021245924.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown “Home Quarantine” on the Physical Activity and Lifestyle of Children in Qatar

“…In this study, there was no significant change in sleep duration; however, most of the children had their bedtime and waketime shifted to later because of the quarantine. A recent systematic review that combined 71 studies from 35 different countries to explore the impact of the restrictions among children and adolescents reported discrepancies on the effect of the pandemic on sleep ( 49 ). Nevertheless, our findings correlated with 11 studies that showed no significant change in sleep duration, and 10 other studies that reported a shift to a later bedtime and wake time ( 49 ).…”

“…A recent systematic review that combined 71 studies from 35 different countries to explore the impact of the restrictions among children and adolescents reported discrepancies on the effect of the pandemic on sleep ( 49 ). Nevertheless, our findings correlated with 11 studies that showed no significant change in sleep duration, and 10 other studies that reported a shift to a later bedtime and wake time ( 49 ). Clearly, the stresses brought by the pandemic encouraged a shift toward an evening oriented circadian rhythm.…”

Long COVID in children

“…3,4 Nevertheless, lockdowns, supply chain complications, and isolation have had an impact on children. School closures and regional lockdowns were detrimental to children and adolescents' physical activity owing to more time on screen and longer periods of sleep, 5 and increases in housing and food insecurity were well documented, with concerns about the long-term health of children. 6 Furthermore, reliable reports in the early stages of the pandemic described an increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and behaviour problems in children, 7 as well as delays in seeking emergency care.…”

An online survey carried out in 2022 showed that COVID‐19 was associated with negative changes in children's lives

“…The COVID‐19 pandemic has had adverse effects on the well‐being, health and behaviour of children and adolescents, probably due to social restrictions. 1 , 2 , 3 A lot of studies were conducted during the particularly challenging first year of the pandemic, when there were lockdowns and day care, schools and leisure facilities were closed. Our online survey in February 2022 investigated parents' perceptions of the long‐term consequences of the pandemic on child development.…”

“…Changes to health, well‐being, friendships, learning ability and school performance were more frequently perceived as negative than positive, in line with previous studies. 1 , 3 Possible explanations include reduced contact with peers, 1 lack of exercise during restrictions 2 and limited support during distance learning. 3 Changes in family relationships and autonomy were more frequently perceived as positive than negative, probably because school closures triggered more time alone and more time with families.…”