The main aim of the project was to increase the level of physical activity (PA) among selected target groups in three countries (Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia). We divided the overall project time into shorter periods and implemented sub-objectives within them: 1. Determine and compare the current status of PA in the partner countries before and after COVID19 pandemic. 2. Analyze the findings, draw conclusions, and map the negative impact on PA, health, and performance, subsequently presenting these findings through conferences and lectures in an effort to raise awareness about the decline in PA and highlight the need for action. 3. Develop recommendations for increasing PA and improving health after recovering from COVID19. 4. Validate the recommendations and develop educational material for undergraduate students with degree programmes in medical, health and educational sciences, who can then disseminate the recommendations through their practice to the general population. 5. Disseminate awareness of the importance of PA and its positive effects on human health at international level (conferences,lectures, web) 6. Establish long-term cooperation between the institutions and continue it after end of the project.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its related interventions significantly impacted people’s daily lives, with restrictions on movement leading to a decrease in physical activity and a subsequent decline in overall health quality. The disease itself negatively affected the cardiovascular, circulatory, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems, exacerbating the deficit in physical activity. This situation underscored the need to address the negative health trends within the population. Our primary objective was to determine the extent of the decline in physical activity in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland and to assess its impact on public health. Additionally, we aimed to educate the public about the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and to develop recommendations and educational materials to increase physical activity and improve health after recovering from COVID-19 and other conditions associated with reduced physical activity.