London - Two thirds of primary school age children are unfit, unable to complete tasks such as running and doing star jumps, researchers have warned.
A study of 10 000 five to 11-year-olds found that 67 percent failed to reach targets in jumping, running and throwing – and a quarter had fitness levels deemed a cause for concern.
Fit For Sport, which conducted the tests, said parents and schools must do more to increase children’s activity levels. Only 36 percent of five to seven-year-olds had an adequate level of fitness, falling to 32 percent and 33 percent for eight to nine and ten to 11-year-olds. The children performed worst in running challenges designed to test stamina, and two-thirds could not do 60 star jumps in a minute.
NHS guidelines recommend children spend an hour a day being physically active – but only 21 percent of boys and 16 percent of girls achieve this.
Daily Mail