A significant decline in children's physical fitness has been ongoing since the 1990s (See: Students skip PE classes. Is it the parents' fault? "Children are growing up as couch potatoes"). Experts warn of the potentially dangerous consequences of this trend, especially the alarming drop in cardiovascular fitness. Researchers from the University of Physical Education (AWF) are calling for systemic changes, including revising PE classes in younger grades to motivate children to engage in regular physical activity.
Unfortunately, the physical fitness of children and youth in Poland is in very poor condition. This is not just a problem in Poland, but in many countries. We are no longer talking about poor condition; we need to sound the alarm that there has been a drastic decline in physical fitness since the 1990s
- said Professor Bartosz Molik, rector of the University of Physical Education in Warsaw, to the Newseria Biznes agency.
Physical Education in Schools: Alarming Results of Children's Fitness
The results are part of a larger program called PE with AWF: Active Today for Health Tomorrow, aimed at encouraging young children to be more physically active and improving their fitness levels. The study revealed an alarmingly low level of physical skills among elementary school students.
According to the research, 94% of children have an insufficient level of motor competence, only 11% can jump rope, 74% cannot dribble a basketball, and 94% of children in grades 1-3 cannot properly throw or catch a ball. Additionally, 20-25% of boys and 15-17% of girls were diagnosed with abdominal obesity. A significant decline in cardiovascular endurance was also noted.
Teacher: If Students Keep Skipping PE, They Will Live Shorter Lives, and This Must Be Stressed
We spoke with an elementary school physical education teacher about the worrying results, and he admitted that he wasn’t surprised by the findings. "Today’s youth often avoid exercising in PE classes. In the past, no one would have considered skipping, even if they didn’t like the subject. Now, if they avoid it, it’s clear they don’t enjoy these lessons. And if they don’t like it, they won’t want to exercise when they have to attend. This is a widespread problem, and if we don’t act, it will be too late," the teacher said.
He believes that a lack of basic physical skills in children could lead to avoiding physical activity in the future, which could negatively impact their health and well-being. "Parents and students have ambitions to get into the best schools, and that’s important, but they forget that physical activity can help them achieve that".
If we marginalize the issue, we will end up with a highly intelligent society that is neither healthy nor physically capable. If students keep skipping PE, they will live shorter, less healthy lives, and that message needs to come across loud and clear.
Regular physical activity is essential for preventing and treating non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, it prevents cognitive decline and symptoms of depression and anxiety. For young people, physical activity also plays a key role in improving concentration and learning abilities
- the teacher emphasized.
Students Neglecting Physical Education? A Teacher Speaks a Harsh Truth: "There Will Be Regrets Later"
Another physical education teacher, who has often commented on the declining fitness of children, shared that when he started his teaching career, the reality of working in schools was far from easy. He was shocked by the attitudes of the children and found that, even though he was only a few years older than his students, he couldn't connect with them. "Kids' fitness keeps deteriorating. When we try to motivate them, it’s seen as forcing them. Today, kids won’t even do a somersault because they’re afraid of injury. It’s mind-boggling to me, but I’m tired of fighting with them and giving bad grades."
"The boys are ready to participate, but for the girls, appearance and makeup matter more"
That’s the reality of physical education. Get through the 45 minutes without sweating too much. I know that later, they’ll regret it
- said a young PE teacher from a Warsaw elementary school, expressing disappointment that his vision of teaching didn’t align with reality.
I became a teacher out of passion. I love sports. I thought I would pass that energy on to my students, but that hasn’t happened because they don’t feel the same way I do. I somewhat regret that I teach in a regular school and not a sports school, where the kids are focused on sports
- the teacher concluded.
