Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of inactivity caused by the novel coronavirus on athletic performance of participants in the Hyogo Junior Sports Academy (HJSA), a sports talent search program in Hyogo Prefecture. The subjects were 6th graders who were selected by the selection committee and participated in the physical development and training program. Three years (2016, 2017, and 2018) were considered pre-coronal, and two years (2020 and 2022) were considered under coronal influence. In 2016, 13 boys and 14 girls; in 2017, 13 boys and 15 girls; in 2018, 8 boys and 13 girls; in 2020, 10 boys and 11 girls; and in 2022, 13 boys and 11 girls. The measurement item performs two items of height and weight about a build. Motor ability was defined as 20-m run, T- run, 4-way reaction (4RE), 10-second stepping (ST), vertical jump, continuous rebound jump (RJ index), and drop jump (DJ index). The results showed no significant differences in height and weight between the pre- and post-Corona periods for either sex. A significant decrease in motor ability was observed in both men and women in the T-run. In addition, significant reductions were observed in 4RE in boys and in 20 m running in girls, indicating that the novel coronavirus disaster had an effect on motor ability.
