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New study shows child fitness levels ‘worryingly low’

Two-thirds of primary school children are below recommended levels of fitness, new research suggests.

In activities such as jumping, running and throwing, 67 per cent were unable to reach targets and nearly one in four children fell ‘significantly below levels’.

Four in ten children aged five to seven struggled to do 60 star jumps in one minute.

The study was carried out by children’s activity expert Fit For Sport on 10,000 children aged five to 11.

The children completed the Activity Challenge, a series of tests assessing factors of fitness such as stamina, agility, coordination and cardiovascular endurance.

Three activities were carried out by the children: bouncing a ball and catching it, star jumps and shuttle runs.

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