A major European study has found that the physical fitness of children and adolescents, particularly their endurance, has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels even after the end of Covid-19 restrictions.
The analysis, published by the German Federal Institute for Population Research (BIB), examined data from over 270,000 young people across 17 European countries. It concluded that the cardiorespiratory fitness of this demographic – their ability to supply the body with oxygen during exertion – declined during the pandemic, with marked drops in long-distance endurance and sprinting speed. Countries that implemented stricter containment measures experienced more pronounced declines.
While sprinting speed rebounded relatively quickly after the reopening of schools and sports facilities, endurance levels have remained persistently low. The data shows this deficit is especially pronounced among girls of all ages and adolescents in general between 13 and 19.
The findings raise significant public health concerns, as physical fitness is a key indicator of children’s current and future wellbeing. Researchers warn that this endurance deficit could contribute to higher long-term illness rates and exacerbate existing health inequalities.
In response, the study’s authors urge policymakers, schools, sports clubs, and parents to take coordinated action. They highlight that structured interventions, particularly through school-based programmes and sports clubs, are proven effective methods for reintegrating regular physical activity into young people’s daily lives.
