**5. Conclusions**

In conclusion, this study examined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in various dimensions of physical fitness in a cohort investigated over a long-term period of ten years. We found no evidence for an overall negative effect, but results differed between test items and dimensions. The rural community presented in this study is well aware of the importance of physical fitness. Physical fitness was maintained despite restrictions and limitations through the environmental circumstances. Considering this, this sample is a positive example of maintaining physical fitness throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate interventions and long-term efforts make an impact, but should address each child.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, T.E., K.B. and C.N.; methodology, T.E. and C.N.; formal analysis, T.E.; investigation, T.E., K.B. and C.N.; data curation, T.E.; writing—original draft preparation, T.E.; writing—review and editing, K.B. and C.N.; visualization, T.E.; supervision, K.B. and C.N.; project administration, T.E., K.B. and C.N. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no funding.

**Institutional Review Board Statement:** The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

**Informed Consent Statement:** Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study through the primary school, which conducted the testing.

**Data Availability Statement:** The datasets presented in this study will be publicly archived at: http://motor-researchdata.org/.

**Acknowledgments:** We acknowledge support by the KIT-Publication Fund of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. We would like to thank the participating primary school for conducting the testing and all children for participating. Also, we would like to thank the mayor of the community for making the cooperation possible.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.
