Trends in physical fitness before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Austrian children

Abstract Background It has been well-documented that the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented policies disrupted physical activity and negatively affected physical fitness. It remains, however, unclear whether such effects were short lived or still linger after restrictions have been lifted. Methods Using data from a state-wide fitness testing program that included 37,396 Upper Austrian elementary school-children (48.7% girls) this study examined trends in physical fitness 3 years prior (2016–2019) and three years after the COVID-19 pandemic (2021–2024). Results BMI percentiles and the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned to pre-COVID-19 levels in the years thereafter. Performance in cardiorespiratory endurance, agility, and muscular power showed notable declines during the pandemic, with endurance and agility remaining at persistently low levels with no evidence of recovery in subsequent years. Flexibility also decreased during the COVID-19 period but returned to pre-COVID levels in years after restrictions have been lifted. Linear speed and manipulative skills were only modestly affected. Subgroup analyses further showed that declines were most pronounced and persistent among children with overweight/obesity, who showed a continued decline in cardiorespiratory endurance and speed after the pandemic. Conclusions Even though weight-related effects of the pandemic were relatively short-lived in Austrian children, deficits in multiple components of physical fitness have persisted, exacerbating pre-existing secular declines. These results highlight the need for sustained public health strategies that promote physical activity to restore physical fitness and mitigate long-term consequences, particularly among children with excess body weight.