COVID-19 Restrictions' Effect on Physical Fitness – A Comparative Study of First-Year Students in Pre, During, and Post-Pandemic Eras

This study investigates the influence of COVID-19 restrictions on first-year university students' physical fitness over five years, analyzing data from the University of Defence. The findings reveal a significant decline in first -semester performances in 2020/21, primarily attributed to students who did not undergo physical entrance exams and experienced a partial lockdown along with distant schooling. The class of 2021/22, despite similar conditions, achievedcomparatively better results, possibly due to increased control of students during distant schooling at the residence hall. Conversely, the period of 2019/20 saw the most substantial decline in physical performance, suggesting challenges in adapting to abrupt transitions to distant schooling. From these results, it is evident that factors such as physical entrance exams, in-person schooling, and supervision play crucial roles in improving physical performance among university students. These findings underscore the impact of pandemic-related disruptions on physical capabilities, offering insights for education and health policymakers aiming to support student well -being during unprecedented times.