Physical Activity in Adolescents During the Social Distancing Policies of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed at exploring the gender-specific changes in physical activity level (PAL) and associated factors amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, among adolescents. Sixty-three healthy adolescents (14-18 years) were assessed at the baseline (before social distancing imposition) for PAL (BL-PAL) and fitness variables; and next at the follow-up (2 months following social distancing commencement) for PAL (FU-PAL). A significant PAL decline was evidenced for the entire sample (P < .001) that was notably affected by PAL shifts among boys (P < .001) rather than girls (P = .07). Consistently, fitness variables (explosive strength, flexibility, and aerobic endurance) were positively correlated with BL-PAL and FU-PAL for boys and girls, where clearest associations were observed between baseline strength and aerobic endurance with PAL. With remarkable PAL declines among adolescents in challenging situations, like the COVID-19 pandemic, physical literacy is essential to preserve PAL.