Children and adolescents across Europe are physically weaker and less flexible than their counterparts were decades ago, according to a comprehensive new study from the University of Zaragoza. The research, published in Sports Medicine – Open, tracked key indicators of physical health—muscular strength, flexibility, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness—from 1965 to 2023.
The findings paint a worrying picture: after a period of relative stability in the 1980s and 1990s, most measures have declined steadily since 1990. The authors argue that this represents a missed opportunity for public health that will be difficult to reverse.
Declining strength and rising body fat
Upper-body strength has generally fallen since the 1970s, with a brief plateau between 1980 and 2000 before declining again. Lower-body strength, measured through jumping tests, increased until the 1980s but has since decreased consistently. The study also found a linear increase in body fat among European youth, a trend that is often underestimated when relying solely on body mass index (BMI).
The most alarming trend is in flexibility, which has shown a continuous decline that has accelerated since 2000. Cardiorespiratory fitness—the ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to deliver oxygen during sustained activity—may have stabilised between 2015 and 2023, but levels remain well below those recorded in previous decades.
“These findings reinforce the need to step up efforts to promote physical activity through public institutions,” the researchers said in a press release.
Long-term health implications
Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence is a critical determinant of future health. Cardiorespiratory endurance and healthy body composition during these years are associated with a better cardiovascular profile and reduced mortality risk later in life. Muscular strength is similarly linked to healthier body composition.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children and adolescents engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, including muscle- and bone-strengthening activities at least three times per week. Yet over 75% of European adolescents fail to meet these guidelines.
The consequences of inactivity are severe: globally, physical inactivity is responsible for around 6% of coronary heart disease, 7% of type 2 diabetes, 10% of breast cancer, and 10% of colon cancer. It also contributes to 9% of premature deaths and 7.6% of cardiovascular disease deaths.
The study analysed 417,362 participants aged 6 to 16 from 20 European countries, making it one of the largest assessments of paediatric fitness on the continent. The authors stress that the decline is not inevitable and that targeted public health interventions can help reverse the trend.
As European societies grapple with rising rates of childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles, the findings serve as a stark reminder of the importance of physical education and active play. The researchers call on governments, schools, and families to prioritise fitness from an early age.
