The physical fitness of young Europeans continues to deteriorate

The physical fitness of European children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 has seen a marked decline since 1965, according to an in-depth analysis conducted on more than 400,000 participants from 20 countries. The results reveal a continuous drop in several key health indicators, with variations depending on gender and age.

Cardiorespiratory endurance, essential for cardiovascular health, initially improved until the 1980s before declining steadily. This decrease even slowed between 2015 and 2023, without reversing. Among boys, body composition, which measures factors such as fat quantity, has deteriorated linearly and more pronouncedly than among girls. Upper body strength, assessed by tests such as handgrip or ball throwing, began to decline as early as the 1970s, with a temporary stabilization between the 1980s and 2000 before resuming its decline. In contrast, leg strength had increased until the 1980s, then began a continuous decline until 2023.

Flexibility, often measured by the sit-and-reach test, has also experienced a constant decline, with an acceleration of this trend after the 2000s. Although this component is less studied than others, it remains an important indicator of mobility and musculoskeletal health.

These trends occur in a context where fewer than a quarter of young Europeans meet the World Health Organization’s recommendations for physical activity, namely 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, including muscle-strengthening exercises at least three times a week. Worse, only 19% of adolescents in Europe engage in muscle-strengthening activities three times a week, compared to 38% globally. Yet, good physical fitness during childhood and adolescence is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity in adulthood.

Cardiorespiratory endurance plays a major protective role for the heart. Values that are too low increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life. Similarly, a healthy body composition and developed muscle strength are linked to a better metabolic profile and a reduction in premature mortality. On the other hand, flexibility, while included in physical fitness assessments, appears less directly associated with these risks.

The causes of this decline are multiple. Increased sedentary behavior, a reduction in daily physical activities—partly due to societal and technological changes—as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, have all contributed to worsening this situation. Lockdowns and restrictions indeed reduced movement opportunities for many young people, exacerbating an already concerning trend.

To reverse this trend, experts emphasize the need to standardize the tests used to assess physical fitness in Europe. Currently, the diversity of methods makes it difficult to compare data between countries and periods. Harmonization would allow for better tracking of developments and adaptation of public policies. At the same time, institutions must strengthen the promotion of WHO recommendations, with particular emphasis on muscle-strengthening activities, which are often neglected in favor of aerobic activities.

This study highlights the urgency of taking action to safeguard the health of future generations. Without intervention, the decline in physical fitness could have lasting consequences for public health, with increased social and medical costs related to chronic diseases.

Information and Sources

Scientific Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-026-01032-x

Title: Temporal Trends in Health-Related Components of Physical Fitness of European Children and Adolescents from 1965 to 2025: A Systematic Review of Data on 417,362 Participants from 20 Countries

Journal: Sports Medicine – Open

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Daniel Domingo-del-Val; Gabriel Lozano-Berges; Ana Moradell; Alejandro Gómez-Bruton; Ángel Matute-Llorente; José Antonio Casajús