Pune: Survey Unveils Disturbing Trends in Physical Fitness Among Indian School Students

Pune, 14th February 2024: A recent survey conducted by Sportz Village has revealed troubling insights into the physical fitness levels of school students nationwide. The findings highlight significant shortcomings in the overall health and fitness of this demographic.

Based on the results of the 12th annual health survey, which surveyed over 73,000 children aged 7 to 17 from schools across 250 cities and towns, a substantial portion of students exhibit below-average physical fitness indicators. Specifically, the survey indicates that two out of five children fail to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), while an alarming three out of four children do not meet the expected standards for aerobic capacity. Moreover, one in three children lack the anticipated lower body strength, and three out of five children demonstrate inadequate levels of both upper and lower body strength.

Conducted through the EduSports in School Physical Education Camp, the survey assessed students’ physical fitness based on criteria such as BMI, aerobic capacity, flexibility, and upper and lower body strength. Of note, the analysis revealed a concerning decline in the overall physical fitness of school children.

Interestingly, the survey findings also shed light on gender disparities in fitness levels, with girls showing higher rates of healthy BMI levels compared to boys. Additionally, girls outperformed boys in flexibility and upper body strength but fell behind in aerobic capacity and lower body strength. Furthermore, students attending schools with more than two hours of physical education per week demonstrated better fitness outcomes.

Saumil Majmudar, CEO of Sportz Village, stressed the pivotal role of physical education in nurturing holistic development among students. Majmudar highlighted a prevalent perception among school administrations and parents that prioritizes academic studies over physical activities, resulting in limited opportunities for children to engage in sports and exercise. As a result, he advocated for the integration of sports and physical activities into the educational curriculum, emphasizing the importance of providing ample opportunities for students to participate in sports and physical exercise to enhance their overall well-being and development.