"If it comes to racing, many kids today can't outrun their parents when they were young," said the BBC in a report on the 20th. The American Heart Association added that children's physical fitness has declined significantly, "on average, it now takes them a minute and a half longer to run a mile (about 1,609 meters) than it did 30 years ago."
Youth are running slower and slower
Cardiopulmonary function is a key indicator of a person’s ability to sustain physical activity. The American Heart Association analyzed 50 studies from 28 countries between 1964 and 2010, which recorded the running performance of 25 million youths aged 9–17. The focus was on two aspects of youth running: speed and endurance, including how long it takes to run 800m–3200m, and how far they can run in 5–15 minutes.
The study shows that since 1975, youths have been running increasingly slower, with their cardiopulmonary function on average 15% worse than that of their parents at the same age. If today’s youth were to race 1600m against those from 30 years ago, not only would they be soundly defeated, but they’d also finish nearly 90 seconds behind.
China’s situation is worse
More concerning is that the slowdown affects both boys and girls, and the trend is similar across countries.
The BBC says that not only in traditional industrial nations like the US, Europe, and Oceania do youths show severe declines in cardiopulmonary health. Even in emerging industrial countries such as South Korea and China, the problem exists—and is even worse. The American Heart Association states that their cardiopulmonary performance has dropped by 30% compared to 30 years ago.
According to the UK’s Guardian, compared to the past two or three decades, Chinese students have become fatter and slower. For example, in the 1000m run, boys’ average speed is 14–15 seconds slower than before; girls take 12 seconds longer to complete the 800m. Experts attribute the issue mainly to intense academic pressure and internet addiction.
Sweat for an hour a day
The research points out that obesity is a major factor in the decline of youth cardiopulmonary function.
Lead researcher Professor Grant Tomkinson from the University of South Australia’s School of Life Sciences said: “In fact, about 30%–60% of the slower running times among youths are related to increased fat mass. In addition, it’s also linked to a lack of exercise facilities and unhealthy lifestyles such as watching TV and playing video games.” Tomkinson recommends encouraging children to engage in more aerobic exercise, otherwise their health could be seriously affected. “If we don’t improve fitness now, they may be more prone to heart disease later,” he warned.
Experts recommend that children and adolescents should exercise for at least one hour a day. Currently, only half of British children meet this standard, and according to a WHO report, 80% of youths are not active enough.
Professor Michael Givertz, a member of the American Heart Association, said the type of exercise also matters. “It must be the kind that makes you sweat and is continuous, thereby promoting cardiovascular function—like swimming, cycling, or running.” Givertz added that simply attending PE classes or going to the gym a few times isn’t enough unless you can stick with it daily.
Christopher Allen of the British Heart Foundation said it’s best to instill the habit of exercise in children from a young age, as it has a crucial impact on their future health. “Staying active reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, and the earlier you start, the better.” Allen believes communities, schools, and families should help and motivate children to meet their daily exercise goals, laying a solid foundation for their healthy growth.