| Government agencies, health departments, and healthcare providers |
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PA should be a PSA. Federal, state, and local officials should publicly acknowledge the impact that PA has on physical and mental health and social development in children. A new PSA platform should be launched to encourage parents to ensure their child gets the recommended minimum of 60 min of MVPA daily.
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Pediatricians and physicians need to not only encourage social distancing, hand hygiene, and proper PPE but also aid in educating parents on the importance of PA. Healthcare workers should encourage parents to engage and co-participate in PA with their child. When multiple children live in the household, family-based, sibling-based, and single parent co-participation should be encouraged.
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Whenever possible, PA should be moved to outdoor spaces (weather permitting) or larger indoor spaces that can accommodate social distancing. Rather than cancel or close facilities all together, move exercise classes outside. If larger indoor facilities are not available, recreation facilities should consider limiting class sizes and require advanced signup to limit the number of participants.
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Local authorities should consider long-term plans to create or modify built environments to accommodate social distancing. In the short-term, large open-area facilities could be used to allow for indoor activity, such as walking in the malls even if the stores are closed. This is particularly important in locations with extreme weather (hot or cold).
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| Educators and school administrators |
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Many schools are offering optional virtual education experiences this fall. School administrators should ensure that PE continues for those who will be at home. This may include virtual PE classes, PE asynchronous assignments, and ensuring that students have several PA and mental health breaks spread throughout their day.
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For school districts and parents who choose to continue with in-person education, PE and recess play should remain a daily part of each child's schedule, while ensuring safety and abiding by social distancing recommendations.
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Post COVID-19 pandemic accommodations for schools may require additional equipment and supplies (PPE, etc.) or changes in school layouts and schedules. These changes may prove to be costly; however, it is imperative that schools maintain funding to continue to provide fine art and other special-area courses, as engagement in these activities plays an important role in mental well-being.38
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| Parents and families |
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Lead by example: parents are highly encouraged to increase their own PA as well. Children who have physically active, adult role models in the home tend to have healthier lifestyles themselves.40,41 Co-participation in PA by parents and siblings may aid in increasing a child's PA.
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It is important that children maintain schedules and routines centered around adequate sleep and outdoor PA, including walking, running, cycling, sports, or free-play.
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Indoor space may be used to focus on strength training. Current research indicates that when properly introduced through a staged approach, strength training can improve physical, cardiovascular, and overall fitness.42 Balance, posture, and stretching indoor exercises may also have a positive impact on physical fitness in children.
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