Special Recommendations for Home-Based Physical Training: Impact of Sedentary Due to Stay at Home Covid-19 Pandemic on Physical Fitness

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of sedentary stay at home due to the covid-19 pandemic on physical fitness and to examine the effects of home-based physical activity on physical fitness levels during the covid-19 crisis in Indonesia. This study used a mixed method sequential exploration design consisting of a quantitative stage and a qualitative stage. The sample used was 228 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years, n = 143 adults and elderly > 17, n = 85 people, participated in this study voluntarily. Sampling was carried out for the experimental group at random (n: 143) and the control group (n: 85). The experimental group engaged in 8 weeks of home-based physical activity delivered in person and via WhatsApp groups. Data were collected through the Indonesian Physical Fitness Test and semi-structured interview questions. Data analysis using a two-way mixed ANOVA was used to determine the effect of home-based physical activity carried out for 8 weeks with a duration of 3 times/week on the participants' physical health. Results: preliminary data descriptively show the level of physical health during the stay at home Covid-19 pandemic is in the poor category. After being given a form of home-based physical activity either directly or through a WhatsApp group, a significant increase was observed in the level of physical activity of children and adolescents 5-17 years, adults and elderly > 17 years in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results provide evidence that home-based physical activity with a duration of 15 – 30 minutes, has a positive effect on physical fitness levels during the covid-19.