INTRODUCTION
The novel coronavirus illness that prevailed late in 2019 (COVID‐19) and
caused the recent pandemic has had extensive health, social, and
economic consequences. Decision was made to suspend schools for Egyptian
children together with curfew restrictions all over the country aiming
at alleviating the pandemic repercussions. Although practicing a
physically active lifestyle is recommended to counteract health and
mental outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic [1] , many
of the children worldwide ended almost leading a sedentary lifestyle
during the lockdown. Home confinement had a negative impact on this
vulnerable age group and since sporting clubs were closed as well, the
athletes among such children faced another hardship.
Sedentary behavior and decreased daily physical activity are associated
with copious adverse health effects that collectively predispose to
weight gain. Another consequence of lockdown is reduced exposure to
daylight and the accompanying disturbance in physical activity patterns,
with interruption in meal timing and sleep patterns. Ultimately,
circadian rhythms are disrupted, predisposing susceptible individuals to
a plethora of metabolic abnormalities [2] .
Additionally, psychological effects of quarantine measures play a
pivotal role in all these health hazards [3] .
This study was designed to highlight the physical as well as some of the
psychological health hazards that young Egyptian athletes might have
faced during the early COVID-19 lockdown measures.