Physical activity a a means for a positive coping during stressful situations: an action research.

COVID-19 restrictions negatively impacted physical activity levels and educational approaches. The education of the body is a crucial element for preadolescents’ growth. This action research aimed at exploring associations between the discipline of the body due to the lockdown and physical activity levels. The Italian version of the IPAQ-SF questionnaire was used to investigate physical activity levels pre and post-intervention (12 weeks). The perception of the impact of lockdown on preadolescents' levels physical activity was assessed via focus-groups. From the IPAQ administration emerged that pre-intervention, 45.5% of students were classified as very active, 35.8% sufficiently active, and 18.7% inactive. Post intervention 58.7% were very active, 33.9% sufficiently active, and 7.5% inactive. Results of the focus-groups showed that students practicing self-conducted physical activity during lockdown had a positive coping of the negative effects of the lockdown. As physical activity represents a useful strategy in helping youth coping with stressful situations and preventing detrimental effects of sedentary behaviors on preadolescents’ emotional, social and cognitive skills development, there is the need to develop specific strategies for active lifestyles promotion.