Speaker
Description
COVID-19 public health measures have been instituted since March 2020 in Trinidad and Tobago. These measures were implemented to curb the transmission of various variants of COVID-19 by minimizing social interaction to essential public activities such as visiting supermarkets, pharmacies and medical facilities. Initially, the measures restricted all forms of public physical activity including running, walking, biking, swimming, participating in team sports and attending gyms. Some of these restrictions have gradually been rescinded however with certain mandatory caveats such as only vaccinated persons-athletes, coaches, administrators etc. allowed to engage in team sports at approved sporting facilities as determined by the Ministry of Sport and Community Development. The effects of these measures need to be investigated as engagement in sport and physical activity is seen as an important part of developing the physical, mental and social wellbeing of students. This quantitative study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 public health measures on the physical activity and wellbeing of tertiary students attending the University of the West Indies. An online survey of 150 undergraduate students was conducted to determine the level of physical activity before and during the COVID-19 measures. The findings will provide university sport administrators with important data on the level of physical activity of students as well as inform policies for promoting and managing physical activity in the ‘new normal’ of living with COVID-19. Measures can include workshops in collaboration with the university’s guild of students to promote participation in physical activity and raise awareness of campus sporting and recreational activities and facilities.
Key Words: Physical Activity; Public Health Measures, Tertiary Students, COVID-19
