BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the changes in the structure of weekly physical activity (PA) and well-being among adolescent boys and girls between habitual education (HE) and distance education (DE) during the pandemic in secondary schools. METHODS: The research was carried out in 12 Czech and 18 Polish schools during 2019 to 2020 academic session for HE and 2020 to 2021 academic session for DE. The research involved 723 girls and 626 boys aged 15 to 18 years. The structure of the weekly PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form, while well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease of PA among boys in school PA, transportation PA, recreation PA, vigorous PA, moderate PA, walking, and overall weekly PA during the DE resulting from the pandemic. In girls, during DE, a decrease was observed in school PA, vigorous PA, and overall PA. During DE, a high level of well-being was reported by only 34.9% of girls (43.8% during HE) and 50% of boys (65.6% during HE). CONCLUSIONS: The observed low PA and high incidence of depressive symptoms in adolescents in distance education during pandemic constraints are a challenge for schools to change in supporting physical activity, eliminating similar negative impacts on school life in the future.

Faculty of Education University of West Bohemia Univerzitní 2732 8 301 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Faculty of Physical Culture Palacký University Olomouc třída Míru 771 11 Olomouc Czech Republic

Faculty of Physical Culture Palacký University Olomouc třída Míru 771 11 Olomouc Czech Republic; Faculty of Physical Education The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice Mikołowska 72a 40 065 Katowice Poland

Faculty of Physical Education The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice Mikołowska 72a 40 065 Katowice Poland

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