Self-Declared Physical Activity Levels and Self-Reported Physical Fitness in a Sample of Italian Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Only 20% of children worldwide reach the suggested physical activity (PA) levels, and the COVID-19 restrictions seemed to have worsened this situation. In addition, physical fitness (PF) is a crucial marker of health and combined with PA could predict future health status. The aim of this study was to compare reported PA and PF levels in a sample of Italian adolescents. We administered the International PA Questionnaire and International Fitness Enjoyment Scale to 208 adolescents aged 16.0 +/- 1.5 (N = 166 females, 16 +/- 2.0 years) recruited from a high school in the province of Milan (Italy). The majority of the subjects were Minimally active but reported adequate PF levels. In particular, subjects who reported a Very good PF perception, had a lower PA level. The misperception of reported PA and PF from our sample could reduce the future PA level in adolescents and lead to a negative spiral of disengagement in PA. These findings should lead to more attention on and improvements to PA promotion in the adolescent population after the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Automated summary

Only 20% of children worldwide reach the suggested physical activity levels, and the COVID-19 restrictions seemed to have worsened this situation. This study investigated reported physical activity and physical fitness levels in a group of Italian adolescents and found that most participants had low levels of physical activity but adequate physical fitness levels. Specifically, participants who reported a very good perception of physical fitness had lower levels of physical activity. This suggests that adolescents have a misperception of their own physical activity and physical fitness, which may lead to a decrease in their physical activity levels.