It is unsurprising but never the less very concerning, that the number of children reaching physical activity guidelines decreased during the covid-19 lockdown. The ‘systems’ that children lived in drastically changed; usual, everyday opportunities to be physically active (active travel to school, playtimes, physical education, after school activities, play in parks and playgrounds, playing with friends and organised sports) were no longer available and the government told everyone to stay at home. It is likely that throughout the winter months of 2020-2021 with ongoing movement restrictions and a further two lockdowns that children's physical activity levels will have dropped even further, compounded by short daylight hours and cold weather. What is of further concern are the stark ethnic inequalities that we found, Pakistani Heritage children were less likely to leave the home and therefore less likely to be physical activity.

It is well established that physical activity behaviours track from young childhood, into adolescence than into adulthood, and we do not know what the long term impact of this year of disrupted physical activity will have on the physical health and wellbeing of children as they grow up. However, what we can do is work to minimise the risks of ill health though inactivity as we emerge out of COVID. Physical activity is a great place to start for COVID recovery, it is positive, energising and has a multitude of benefits ranging from physical health and mental wellbeing, to advancing educational attainment and improving community cohesion.