Two-Thirds Of Schoolchildren Lack Basic Aerobic Fitness, A Survey Finds

Two out of every three school-going children in India are unable to sustain basic cardiorespiratory activity, according to the 14th Annual Health Survey (AHS) 2026 released by Sportz Village EduSports, raising concerns about a looming public health crisis.

The survey, conducted across 1,41,840 children in 333 schools spanning 112 cities, provides one of the most extensive datasets on children’s physical health in the country. It assessed seven parameters—Body Mass Index (BMI), aerobic and anaerobic capacity, upper and lower body strength, core strength, and flexibility—offering a longitudinal view of post-pandemic recovery and persistent health gaps.

The most worrying finding related to aerobic fitness, regarded as the strongest predictor of long-term cardiovascular health. Only 34.4% of children met aerobic benchmarks in 2025, up marginally from 27.5% in 2023. The gap has remained the most consistent and alarming weakness tracked over the survey’s 14-year history, said the report. According to health experts, poor aerobic fitness in childhood is closely linked to higher risks of adult diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

The survey also found that 40% of children fell outside a healthy BMI range—an indicator showing little improvement over the past three years (59.1% healthy BMI in 2023; 59.6% in 2025). Nearly half the children failed to meet upper body strength benchmarks (49%), while 44% fell short in lower body strength, reflecting increasingly sedentary lifestyles marked by prolonged screen time and reduced outdoor activity.

The data highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s physical health. In 2020, before the pandemic, 70.5% of students met overall fitness standards. By 2022, following extended school closures and lockdowns, that number dropped sharply to 56.2%—the steepest decline recorded in the survey’s history.

Subsequent reopening of schools and resumption of structured physical activity led to a strong recovery, with overall fitness levels rising to 84.8% in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, gains in aerobic fitness have remained slow and uneven, said the report.

A key finding of the survey was the measurable impact of structured Physical Education (PE). Students enrolled in a structured PE programme for two consecutive years improved overall fitness from 66% to 82%, a 16-percentage-point increase. Schools conducting more than 80 PE sessions annually reported 86% overall fitness levels, underscoring the value of sustained and planned physical activity.

Gender-based differences were also evident. Girls outperformed boys in five of seven parameters, including BMI, flexibility, core strength, upper body strength, and anaerobic capacity. However, only 27% of girls met aerobic fitness standards compared with 41% of boys—the widest gender gap recorded in the survey. Experts cautioned that unless addressed through targeted interventions, this disparity could translate into long-term health inequality.

The survey also revealed a striking contrast between public and private schools. Government school students performed better in five of seven parameters, including aerobic capacity (40% versus 33%), anaerobic capacity (81% versus 62%), and flexibility (78% versus 69%). The findings suggest that greater daily movement and outdoor time may offset infrastructure advantages often associated with private institutions.

Saumil Majmudar, Co-founder and CEO of Sportz Village, said the findings reinforce the need for deliberate and sustained action. “Healthy childhoods do not happen by accident. Schools, families, and communities must work together to build consistent habits of physical activity,” he said.

When asked to comment, Vivek Yadav, Principal, PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Andrews Ganj, Delhi, echoed similar concerns, lamenting that although most schools do not maintain structured data on cardiorespiratory fitness, a visible decline in stamina and endurance is evident. “Many students, including teenagers, struggle to complete even a single round of a football ground. Basic agility drills and endurance exercises leave them fatigued. Only a small group of sports-oriented students demonstrate satisfactory fitness levels,” he observed.

Drawing on over 25 years of experience in the academic profession, Yadav attributed the decline to excessive screen time, growing dependence on mobile phones, mounting academic pressure, and shrinking access to safe open spaces in metropolitan areas. “In many families, academic achievement takes precedence over sports and physical activity, which further limits children’s opportunities for regular exercise,” he said.

Yadav emphasised the need for systemic intervention. Schools, he said, should introduce mandatory fitness assessments and ensure 45–60 minutes of daily physical activity. Parents must regulate screen time and actively encourage outdoor play, while community-level infrastructure and structured sports programmes need to be strengthened. “Collective efforts by schools, families, and policymakers are essential to build a healthier generation,” he added.