BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) during the school day is crucial for the health and well-being of adolescents. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth PA patterns to better understand these changes and to provide guidelines for school programming. METHODS: Differences in PA within specific segments of the school day were examined before and after the pandemic using the Youth Activity Profile questionnaire. Participants included 956 boys and 1,317 girls from 21 high schools. The study involved 12 Czech and 9 Polish high schools before the pandemic and 9 Czech and 8 Polish high schools after the pandemic. RESULTS: Both Czech and Polish boys and girls exhibited significantly less transportation PA to and from school and reduced PA during the school day after the pandemic compared to before. Additionally, Czech and Polish boys were significantly less physically active during school breaks, and Czech boys and girls had notably less PA during physical education lessons. The pandemic disrupted the habit of regular PA on school days, particularly evident in the decline of PA to and from school. CONCLUSION: The study confirms a significant difference in PA of Czech and Polish adolescents in various segments of the school day after students return to school following pandemic restrictions. Promoting achievement of the recommendations in the segments of the school day and in comprehensive school PA programs should be an important part of school health and education policy and public health promotion for adolescents.

• Keywords
• COVID-19, active transport, education policy, physical activity recommendation, school day,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Exercise * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Pandemics MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Schools * MeSH
• Students * statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Poland epidemiology   MeSH

BACKGROUND: The global decline in physical activity (PA) among the youth has been exacerbated by the pandemic's impact on their lifestyles. Addressing these adverse effects post-pandemic by supporting preferred physical activities among young individuals is crucial. The aim of the study is to investigate and compare the long-term trends in PA preferences among individuals in Poland and the Czech Republic, exploring the impact of global lifestyle challenges over the past 14 years, including the pandemic, on PA behaviors and choices. METHODS: The study design is cross-sectional and data gathering was in the period between 2007 and 2020, this research encompassed 19,235 participants aged 15 to 26. PA preferences were gauged using the Questionnaire on Physical Activity Preferences, while actual PA levels were measured through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form. Crossing table, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, binary logistic regression and effect size coefficients were conducted. RESULTS: Among the participants, individual physical activities were favoured by 24% of Czech and 25% of Polish boys, and 23% of Czech and 25% of Polish girls. A positive correlation was found between the preference for running and higher levels of recreational, vigorous, and overall weekly PA. Additionally, an increased preference for running was associated with a higher likelihood of meeting weekly PA recommendations for both girls (OR = 1.82, CI = 1.62-2.04, p < 0.001) and boys (OR = 1.61, CI = 1.44-1.82, p < 0.001) in both countries. CONCLUSIONS: Over a 14-year period, swimming, cycling, and running emerged as the most preferred PA across both Czech and Polish youth, with a notable increase in running, especially among Czech boys. Polish boys and girls also showed a growing preference for running, while Polish girls demonstrated a notable increase in badminton and ice-skating. The preference for running was associated with a higher likelihood of meeting PA recommendations, especially among Polish boys and Czech girls. Notably, activities like running, swimming, and cycling exhibited resilience to both pandemic-related restrictions and broader global lifestyle challenges, underscoring the importance of long-term monitoring of PA preferences for effective health promotion.

• Keywords
• Health, IPAQ-long, Pandemic, Physical activity, Recommendation, Youth,
• MeSH
• COVID-19 epidemiology   MeSH
• Exercise * psychology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Life Style * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Poland MeSH

BACKGROUND: The level of physical activity (PA) in adolescents is highly dependent on their PA preferences. PA preferences among adolescents are dominated by team PA, mostly team sports (TS). The aim of this study is to identify (a) the status and trends in the preferences of TS among Czech and Polish boys and girls in different educational and sports environments, and (b) the impact of the agreement between the preferred and simultaneously pursued TS on the structure of weekly PA and on the meeting of PA recommendations. METHODS: The research was carried out between 2009 and 2022 in the Czech Republic and Poland and included 2,939 boys and 4,427 girls aged 15-19 years. Preferences and participation in TS were identified using a PA preference questionnaire and weekly PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form. Trends in TS preferences were analyzed over 27-year periods. The participants were divided into groups by agreement and disagreement between the preferred and pursued TS, and by agreement and disagreement between the preferences of TS and participation in organized TS. RESULTS: Throughout the 14-year study period, boys in both countries preferred soccer, whereas girls favored volleyball. Agreement between preferences and participation in TS increased vigorous PA in Czech and Polish boys and girls. The agreement between the preferences for TS and participation in organized TS had the most significant effect on increasing vigorous PA in Czech and Polish boys and girls and on total PA in boys in both countries. Those who preferred and participated in TS were more likely to meet PA recommendations. CONCLUSION: Respecting the status and trends of TS preferences in supporting participation in TS increases adolescents' PA and their achievement of PA recommendations. Increasing active participation in organized TS among boys and girls may support regular PA and help eliminate the negative effects of the pandemic on adolescents' PA.

• Keywords
• IPAQ, physical activity recommendations, soccer, sports preferences, volleyball,
• MeSH
• Exercise * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Educational Status MeSH
• Team Sports * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Poland MeSH