BMJ Open · 6 authors, 8 centres
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This is a protocol for a systematic review that will examine changes in physical activity and physical fitness among children and adolescents (≤19 years) in the WHO European Region after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, using validated measurement instruments and pre-pandemic baselines for comparison. No results are reported; only the planned methodology is described.
It aims to include all primary studies comparing physical activity and physical fitness data in children and adolescents ≤19 years living in the WHO European Region against pre-pandemic baselines. Planned subgroup analyses include gender, age, and stringency of pandemic restrictions. The authors acknowledge anticipated challenges including heterogeneity in outcome measurement, particularly for physical fitness tools, and note that findings may not generalize across all 53 WHO European Region countries. As a protocol, no empirical findings are available.
