Sporty slump in children: Corona leaves lasting damage!

Sporty slump in children: Corona leaves lasting damage!

Karlsruhe, Deutschland - Corona pandemic has severely affected the fitness of children and adolescents in Germany. Preliminary results of the extensive motor module study by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which examined around 4,500 children and adolescents between mid-2023 and the end of 2024, show alarming declines in sporting performance. Sports scientist Professor Alexander Woll reported that boys in a bicycle endurance test by around 7.7 percent and girls are 9.6 percent worse than before pandemic. This study is the largest of its kind since Corona's outbreak and takes place at 200 locations throughout Germany.

long -term effects concerned researchers

The results indicate that the panda mint and reduced movement possibility could have long -term negative consequences for the motor development of the young generation. "There is a slump in endurance and strength," warns Woll, while a comprehensive evaluation is expected in the coming weeks. Despite the improvement of the situation for sports clubs that have recovered according to the pandemic, only about 20 percent of children and adolescents reached the level of activity recommended by the WHO. According to the researchers, the average sporting activity of the children is again at a similar level as before Corona, but this remains below the recommended values.

The study, known as Momo study, has been investigating movement behavior and health of children in Germany since 2003. The tests included strength, endurance and equilibrium tests that should measure the fitness of the children. As reported by krone.at , this investigation offers a valuable basis to understand the health effects of pandemic on youth. With the first results published now, Woll sees the need to take measures to fix the fitness -related deficits.