Analysis of Health and Physical Fitness Indicators of Modern Youth

Aim: To research the level and dynamics of indicators of students’ physical health and physical fitness in higher educational institutions at the present stage. Materials and Methods: The research involved 106 students: 57 male students and 49 female students. The research of the level of physical health was conducted according to the method of H.L. Apanasenko, which involves determining the amount of points for each of the 5 indices. The level of physical fitness was assessed by the results of 7 physical exercises. Results: It has been found that students’ health indicators do not improve significantly in the process of their education. Most indices correspond to a level below the average. According to most physical fitness tests, both male and female students are rated “satisfactory” and “unsatisfactory”. Physical qualities such as endurance and flexibility have the worst level of development. Conclusions: The low level of health and physical fitness of students confirms the lack of effectiveness of the existing system of physical education in higher educational institutions. Underestimating the role of physical education in improving the health of today’s youth can result in a deterioration of the quality of life of students themselves in the future, as well as to a deterioration in their productivity and, consequently, lower economic development of the country.