Strict lockdown restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic have led to a significant and concerning decline in children's fundamental motor skills, according to a comprehensive new study. Researchers from the University of Strathclyde have concluded that the stringent measures implemented across the United Kingdom severely impacted young people's physical capabilities, including their ability to run, jump, and skip effectively.
Widespread Decline in Physical Competence
A series of studies published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, involving an extensive sample of 278,000 individuals aged between three and 19 years, identified a consistent and troubling reduction in motor skills following pandemic restrictions. The research revealed that ten out of eleven studies reported a clear decrease in motor competence after the pandemic, with one particularly alarming study noting a 50 per cent increase in the prevalence of motor problems among children and adolescents.
International Comparison Highlights UK Challenges
The investigation found that only one country – the Netherlands, where pandemic restrictions were extremely limited compared to most other nations – experienced no change in motor skill levels following the health crisis. This stark contrast underscores the significant impact that lockdown measures had on young people's physical development in countries with stricter approaches, including the United Kingdom.
Lead investigator Professor John Reilly, an expert in physical activity and public health science at the University of Strathclyde, emphasised the seriousness of the findings. "The study was complex, drawing on multiple sources, but we found a substantial decline in children's movement skills," he stated. "This reduction is meaningful enough to negatively affect body fatness, physical fitness and participation in sport and physical activity."
Accelerating an Existing Trend
Researchers noted that the pandemic restrictions served to dramatically accelerate a trend that had been gradually gathering pace before Covid-19 emerged. Professor Reilly explained: "The change we observed was far greater than the gradual, year-on-year decline seen before the pandemic, and Covid-19 restrictions significantly accelerated this trend."
Multiple Contributing Factors
The study identified several interconnected factors that likely contributed to the overall decline in motor competence. "These restrictions coincided with marked increases in screen time and body fatness, and decreases in physical activity and fitness," Professor Reilly noted. The research also documented declines in more complex skills such as throwing and catching, indicating a broad-based deterioration in physical capabilities.
Preparing for Future Health Crises
Given warnings that future pandemics appear almost inevitable, Professor Reilly stressed the importance of proactive preparation. He argued that planning "should include promoting better motor competence in our children and young people, protecting their motor competence during any future pandemic, and helping them recover after future pandemics."
Research Background and Funding
The significant study, funded by the Scottish Funding Council, was based on the final year research projects of undergraduate sport and physical activity student co-authors. The research focused particularly on the period when the UK's first lockdown began in March 2020, with most restrictions remaining in place until March 2022. It's noteworthy that restrictions in Scotland were often stricter than elsewhere in the United Kingdom, potentially amplifying the effects observed in the research.
The findings present a compelling case for policymakers, educators, and health professionals to address the lingering effects of pandemic restrictions on young people's physical development and to implement strategies that can rebuild these essential skills for future generations.
