Musculoskeletal Problems in School Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During COVID-19 pandemic, in the lockdown period, reduced physical activity and obesity were reported in children. In Turkey, face to face education was ceased after March 16, till the end of the previous academic year and education was tried to be substituted remotely. A temporary lockdown was implemented for children and young people under the age of 20, between April 3 and June 5 2020. At 45 days following the lockdown of children, 72% of the parents with children aged 6-13 years stated that their screen time had increased to a mean of 6.4 hours per day. Engaging more time in physical activity, and less in sedentary and leisure screen time was found to be associated with less anxiety during pandemic. Before 2020-2021 academic year, government and educators increased their preparedness for the second and third waves and improved the technological infrastructure. Depending on grades, preferences of the family, primary education continued remotely between November 2020 and July 2021. The aim of this study is to investigate whether musculoskeletal complaints are increased in school-age children during the pandemics and whether there is a relationship between the decreased level of physical activity, increased screen time, poor posture and musculoskeletal complaints.