UK- The pandemic lockdowns had a devastating impact on the physical activities on many across the world with no access to gyms, and being unable to go out for a simple walk or jog together with many working from home further exacerbating the situation. A new study conducted for 2021 by the Active Healthy Kids (AHK), a global organization dedicated to fostering physical activity in kids, has delivered a concerning result, where a report card for young people and children aged between 3 to 17 years indicated an absence of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. The study also saw that only a low 13 to 17% of children between the ages of 11 to 16 years meet the recommendations.
The 2021 AHK-Wales Report Card scored a F for overall physical activity, even below the prior 2018 report where researchers have indicated that the physical activity is likely to have declined due to pandemic restrictions.
The Report Card was conducted with collaborations from University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff University, Edge Hill University, Play Wales, Sustrans, National Dance Company of Wales and Sport Wales. The Global Alliance the AHK-Wales researchers evaluated pre-COVID-19 data from the 2021 report card, but will be moving forward with COVID-19 physical activity data in the months ahead.
Director of the Wales Academy for Health and Physical Literacy of The University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Dr Nalda Wainwright stated that she was excited to join together and share work and learn more about factors playing a role in physical activity and health behaviors in Wales. Further stating that the collaboration will help in moving forward by gaining evidence that can be applied to health in the communities.
Swansea University’s Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centers, Amie Richards the lead author stated the Report Card is a poor reflection on the future of Welsh people, as the evidence is solid on the decline of physical activy during the pandemic and she hoped the findings will be applied by policy makers, practitioners and educators to enhance the physical activity of children and younger persons.
