| Abstrakt: |
Purpose: To investigate the effects of increased physical activity on the physical fitness of university students after the lifting of the stay-at-home order. Methods: A total of 16 university students who answered the questionnaire that their physical activity was decreased to less than half of their previous states during the stay-at-home order implementation participated in this study. Daily step counts were measured as a proxy for physical activity for 10 days each in May, July, and December 2020. Their muscle strength (knee extension moment), movement velocity (knee extension angular velocity), flexibility (finger--floor distance test), and motor performance (standing long jump) were measured as physical fitness at each measurement point. All measurements were performed online. Results: The average step count significantly increased to 2,585 steps in May, 4,668 in July, and 7,153 in December. Knee extension strength significantly increased between May and December. However, no significant changes were observed in other parameters measured as physical fitness. Discussion: Muscle strength improved with increased physical activity after the lifting of the stay-at-home order; however, movement velocity, flexibility, and motor performance remained unchanged. These results may indicate that muscle strength is more susceptible to physical activity changes than other physical fitness parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
