Effect of Imposed Restrictions As A Consequence of the COVID Pandemic on Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is an important indicator that reports on physical fitness as well as health. In March 2020, as a result of the increasing incidence of COVID, many countries introduced significant restrictions that resulted in an increase in sedentary lifestyles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isolation on the physical fitness of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. To measure physical fitness, the International Test of Physical Fitness (MTSF) was chosen. Subjects took the test twice, in May (two months after the restrictions were imposed) and in June 2020. Due to the restriction, the handgrip strength test was eliminated and the endurance test was defined as optional. From the results obtained, it can be seen that a deterioration was noticed in the female tests of flexibility, endurance, hand strength and shoulder strength. The men also showed a decrease - the only test that showed a slight increase was the muscular strength test. For both sexes, a clear decrease was seen in the second test for the flexibility test. The observed difference could mean that isolation as well as an increased sedentary lifestyle could have had an impact on the fitness trait - flexibility.