The Impact of Sports Tourism on the Development of Children in the COVID Era

Abstract

The subject of the research is the analysis and comparison of the psychophysical condition of children aged 4-6 years at the time of the pandemic, when everything but their staying home was taken away. After a few months, we realized the situation, obese children with excess weight and inappropriate behavior of which parents witnessed. Also aggression, psychotic restlessness, hyperactivity, irritability, disobedience and crying. After interviewing about fifty parents and in cooperation with coaches, we started sports tourism in the possible conditions of our living environment.

Through nine disciplines: skiing, skating, roller skating, walking in nature, swimming in the sea, swimming in the pool, sports sections and cycling, we activated our boys and girls. With the great support of parents and coaches who worked together, they all passed and achieved success in these disciplines. We evaluated their condition at the beginning and after 8 months in order to see with a statistical calculation the difference and success of sports tourism among children. Using the statistical method ANOVA, we obtained statistically significant differences in eight disciplines, which we consider as very good success. Using frequency analysis 28% of the children lost weight while 41% corrected the elements of inappropriate behavior and felt relaxed and calm.

The importance of this project is socially beneficial for children, showing that through sports tourism we can help children and others to reach better psychophysical condition during the COVID-19 pandemic.