Physical activity in children and adolescents has been associated with significant health benefits and is critically important for their age-appropriate physical, social and emotional development needs.

Introduction

The advent of COVID-19 has seen measures that have restricted active social interactions such as the closure of gyms, parks and open leisure spaces, schools and seen increased sedentary behaviour among children and adolescents. Though a clear end to this restrictive situation cannot be clearly discerned, there arises an opportunity to mitigate the low levels of physical activity among children and adolescents through targeted guidelines.

As South Africa and other African countries begin to re-open as an economic imperative, there is an urgent need to provide guidance for a phased approach to ensuring access to safe,  enjoyable and equitable opportunities for physical activity in children and adolescents. This should include opportunities for children and adolescents with disabilities. As much as possible, children should be allowed a choice of activities so as to improve their level of participation in physical activity. This must be done, without increasing the risk for COVID-19 community transmission, and with a long-term view towards sustainable and equitable implementation.

View the complete Physical Activity for Health in Africa: Guidance during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic Policy Brief