Trends in conditioning and motor development in schoolchildren over 120 years (review article)

Aim. The paper aims to identify trends in the parameters of physical fitness and conditioning among students of 20-21 centuries. Materials and methods. The analysis of national and foreign scientific publications was performed. Results. Until the mid-80s, positive trends associated with the increased levels of conditioning in terms of strength, speed, speed-strength, endurance and flexibility were found among children from 7 to 18 years of age (different population groups, both sexes). Since the mid-80s, a comparison of conditioning data between school-age children of the 20 and 21 centuries in different countries showed a clear decrease in the indicators of modern children. Moreover, the results obtained were relevant for all age and sex groups. Deterioration of physical performance occurred simultaneously with an increase in the gap between the physical (somatic) and motor development of schoolchildren. Conclusion. Decreased motor activity associated with technological progress was considered as the main reason for a noticeable or even sharp decrease in the level of physical fitness and conditioning among schoolchildren. According to experts, negative changes in physical fitness require raising self-awareness of the society and its young citizens and creating conditions for self-control over the individual level of physical fitness.