Levels decline

College students' fitness levels have fallen in recent years.

A survey of such students age 19 to 22 conducted by the ministry in 2019 found that their scores for PE tests such as the standing long jump, 50-meter run and push-ups had fallen compared with the levels in 2014.

For example, performances in running 1,000 meters among male students declined by 12.37 seconds on average, while the performances of female students over 800 meters dropped by 9.56 seconds.

As a result, many universities have not strictly implemented the requirements, fearing a large number of students would not be able to pass the tests.

Yunnan University in Kunming, the provincial capital, made headlines recently after it announced that students who failed PE tests would not be entitled to a diploma.

According to the new rule, PE courses are compulsory for all students throughout the four years of undergraduate studies, and all undergraduate students need to complete a total of 200 PE class hours if they want to graduate. The national requirement is 144 class hours for first-and second-year undergraduate students.