The purpose of the study is to identify the main reasons for the decline in the level of phys-ical fitness among students and to develop recommendations to enhance their engagement in physi-cal activities. Research methods and organization. The study was conducted in the form of a survey among students of the St. Petersburg branch of RANEPA from the 1st to 3rd year. A questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was developed for the survey, aimed at identifying the reasons for the decline in the level of physical fitness among students. Research results and conclusions. The conducted survey confirmed the presence of a per-sistent trend towards a decline in the physical fitness level of students, which is caused by a com-plex of interconnected factors. The survey results revealed the dominant role of academic burden, which limits students' time and resources for engaging in sports. Low motivation, associated with the lack of personalized physical education programs, and insufficient availability of sports infra-structure exacerbate the issue. The obtained data aligns with the findings of contemporary research, emphasizing the negative impact of the digitalization of education and hypodynamics on youth health. An important aspect of the work was the integration of academic, social, and infrastructural factors into a cohesive analytical model, which allowed for the proposal of systemic measures to address the problem. The implementation of such measures requires collaborative efforts from edu-cational institutions, university administrations, and the students themselves. The promotion of physical activity as a component of a healthy lifestyle through information campaigns and the inte-gration of sports into the daily practices of students holds particular significance. The need for a comprehensive approach to enhancing the physical fitness levels of students is justified.