Lessons learned from a home-based exercise program for adolescents with pre-existing chronic diseases during the COVID-19 quarantine in Brazil

摘要

Brazil has been among the top three countries most affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with more than 14 million people infected and 410,000 deaths as of early May 2021 (1,2). Quarantine and social distancing measures have been recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Brazil since March 2020 (1-3). It was estimated that school closures affected more than 52 million Brazilian children and adolescents (4). The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lifestyle of citizens due to measures such as school closures, extended home confinement, and limited access to physical activities (5-11). These changes also extend to the pediatric population. A survey of 495 Brazilian children and adolescents revealed that school closures and home confinement, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were responsible for a decrease in daily physical activity. Approximately one-third of respondents met the physical activity guidelines before the pandemic, but only two out of ten met the guidelines during the quarantine (12).