Students fail army fitness standards (2)

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The issue first reached the attention of military recruiters some years ago, and steps were taken to adjust to new realities. The capital has twice lowered standards for physical fitness for those applying for military service, first in 2008 and again 2011.

Xing Wenhua, a professor at Beijing Sport University who has been researching the physical health of young people since 1985, said the declining physical condition of the younger generation has not only affected their daily life, but also hampered the development of China's armed forces.

"The physical condition of the Chinese students has been declining ever since 1995, both in strength and stamina," he said.

"The better living standards and an overemphasis on academic excellence has resulted in too many weak kids in the country," he said.

Xing's point is echoed by Liu Bo, head of the sports department at Tsinghua University.

"The physical condition of college students has been deteriorating for a long time," Liu said.

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