COVID-19 incidence and cardiorespiratory fitness among first-year college students

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Journal

Frontiers in public health

Volume

12

DOI

10.3389/fpubh.2024.1468300

Keywords

COVID-19; cardiorespiratory fitness; college students; perceived health; physical activity

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: With the emergence of the COVID-19 virus, there was a widespread infection rate among college campuses, creating a need to understand the impact of COVID-19 infection on the health and wellbeing of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine COVID-19 incidence and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among undergraduate students in the 2 years post-COVID-19 pandemic lock-down. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (n = 151) included undergraduate college freshmen students during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. METHODS: A series of annual surveys (n = 151) and laboratory measures among a sub-sample of participants (n = 28) were conducted to assess COVID-19 incidence, CRF, anthropometrics, and physical activity (PA). RESULTS: Over half of participants self-reported COVID-19 infection (59%), "good" or better CRF, a healthy body mass index (BMI), and 25% met PA recommendations. Nearly a quarter, (24%) perceived a negative impact of COVID-19 on their CRF and although not statistically significant, participants who contracted COVID-19 had 46% lower odds of having a positive perception of CRF than those who did not contract COVID-19 before. However, students who were more physically active were more likely to perceive a negative impact of COVID-19 incidence on their CRF (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Although no relationship was detected between COVID-19 and CRF, those who perceived a negative impact of COVID-19 on their CRF reported engaging in more physical activity.

Department

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

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