The impact assessment of the pandemic on the quality and lifestyle of students

Katarzyna Golenia¹, Agata Rzeszutko-Bełzowska¹*

J. Sport. Res. and Innov., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 11-26, January 2024

¹Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
^*Correspondence: arzeszutko@ur.edu.pl

Abstract

Background: The aim of the research was to present aspects related to the impact of the pandemic on the quality and lifestyle of students majoring in Physical Education at the University of Rzeszów. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 217 students from the University of Rzeszów – first, second, and third-year students majoring in Physical Education. In the surveyed group, there were 52.5% women and 47.5% men, aged between 19 and 25 years. The chosen method to implement the objectives outlined in this study was a survey based on a self-prepared questionnaire, developed according to standard principles of constructing such research tools. Results: In the context of the conducted research, it can be stated that the pandemic and its related restrictions have influenced a deterioration in the quality of life of the respondents. A moderate impact of gender on the quality and lifestyle of the respondents was observed both before the pandemic and during the partial lifting of restrictions. Regarding the impact of the pandemic on the quality and lifestyle of the respondents, it cannot be unequivocally stated whether it is inversely proportional to age, meaning it is higher the younger the respondents are. Conclusions: The respondents noticed changes in their body weight during the imposition of restrictions. The introduced limitations and the shift to remote learning resulted in a decrease in mood, worsened well-being, difficulties in concentration, and material assimilation for the surveyed students.

Keywords: pandemic, COVID-19, students, lifestyle

References

1. Centrum Badań Opinii Społecznej, Jaki był rok 2020, https://www.cbos.pl/EN/publica-tions/reports/2020/167_20.pdf (21.12.2021).

2. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: increased transmission in the EU/EEA and the UK – sixth update – 12 March 2020, 2020, 147-148.

3. Brand R, When pandemic hits: Exercise frequency and subjective well-being during COVID-19 pandemic, Frontiers in Psychology, 2020, 8:12-15.

4. Bertrand L., The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour, Appl.Phys-iol.Nutr.Metab, 2021, 46: 265-272.

5. Ammar A., Brach M. i in., “Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behav-iour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey.

6. Romero-Blanco A., Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in university students: changes during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic., Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020, 19: 47-48.

7. Lopez-Valenciano A. i Suarez-Iglesias D., Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students’ Physical Activity Levels: An Early Systematic Review, Front. Psychol., 15 January 2021, 2021, 4:11.

8. MultiSport Index 2020, Benefit System, Kantar, 2020, 17.

9. Patrzałek W., Determinanty stylu życia młodych konsumentów, Marketing i Zarządzanie, 2017, 2(48): 63-71.

10. Kowalska J., Styl życia i aktywność ruchowa studentów uczelni wychowania fizycznego w Polsce w aspekcie, Kultura Fizyczna, 2005, nr 7-8:19-20.

11. Lisicki T., Żywienie jako przejaw stylu życia młodzieży rozpoczynającej studia, Wychowanie Fizyczne i Zdrowotne, 2004, 8:10-14.

12. Kwiek M., Wpływ ograniczeń związanych z pandemią na aktywność sportowo-rekre-acyjną oraz zachowania zdrowotne studentów turystyki i rekreacji Uniwersytetu Pedago-gicznego w Krakowie, 2021, Studia Geographica 16: 32-33.

13. Heitzman, J., Wpływ pandemii COVID-19 na zdrowie psychiczne. Psychiatria Polska, 2020, 54(2): 45-46.