The Impact of Limited Movement During the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Level of Physical Activity and Morphological Characteristics

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of two months of relative motor inactivity caused by restriction of movement during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic on changes in the level of physical activity and morphological characteristics of the respondents. The study was conducted on a sample of 48 female students aged 20±0.6 years. Data for the selected variables for assessing the level of physical activities and morphological characteristics were collected with standardized instruments at two time points. A comparative analysis of the average values for assessing the level of physical activity reveals a significant negative impact of eight weeks of relative motor inactivity. The energy expenditure in all three types of physical activities (light, moderate and vigorous), and consequently the total expenditure, expressed in the Metabolic Equivalent Task, significantly decreased during the period of inactivity. Statistically significant differences were found only for hard work and total work during the week (p < 0.001), while there were no significant differences in light and moderate physical activities. The analysis of average values for the assessment of selected morphological variables proved that the period of inactivity caused the deterioration of morphological characteristics. Statistically significant negative changes occurred in all five monitored body dimensions of the respondents. During the experimental treatment of inactivity (ETI), body mass, the Body Mass Index, body fat percentage and waist size increased significantly (p < 0.001). At the same time, the lean component decreased significantly (p = 0.007).