Move in health: CNRS assesses physical condition for everyone

On March 17, 2025, one of the most ambitious initiatives was launched: the Mouv’ en Santé platform of the CNRS. Its objective? To assess the physical condition of the French population, taking into account everyone’s lifestyles. This project, part of the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, aims to raise citizens’ awareness of the importance of physical activity for their health, while developing a barometer of long-term engagement in sports activities. At the heart of this quest, researchers are examining the reasons for the decline in fitness among young people and are looking to develop adapted tools to encourage everyone to move.

State of physical condition in France

The current situation of physical condition in France is concerning. According to recent studies, a considerable majority of the population, between 70 and 95%, is deemed sedentary, meaning they spend more than eight hours sitting each day. This sedentary behavior is more pronounced during adolescence, particularly among girls, who gradually disengage from sports activities due to a lack of stimulation and consideration for their social well-being. Indeed, sports clubs often fail to include elements of sociability that could encourage young girls to participate more actively. The impact of sedentary behavior, coupled with physical inactivity, is alarming and highlighted by the World Health Organization, which estimates that an individual should engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week to remain healthy.

In addition to personal factors, several environmental influences play a role, including social norms around education, academic concerns, prolonged exposure to screens, and the priority given to physical activity compared to other commitments. To address this reality, the Mouv’ en Santé project aims to analyze these vectors more deeply through dialogue with the community, whether researchers or citizens.

The degradation of physical condition is also part of a global context, as shown by numerous longitudinal studies conducted in Western countries, indicating a significant decrease of 20 to 30% in physical fitness among young people over recent decades. This decline is reflected in longer running times for standard distances such as 800 meters. It is essential to understand that changes in our lifestyle, such as excessive transition to sedentary activities, have repercussions on our health, with an increase in early diseases such as obesity or diabetes. To fully grasp these issues and their ramifications, collaborative research emerges as a valuable tool.

Factors influencing physical condition

To better understand the challenges of physical condition, it is pertinent to focus on several factors that are central to the issue. Here are the main variables to consider:

• Nutrition: The quality of our diet plays a decisive role in physical health.
• Sleep: Good rest is essential for recovery and performance.
• Screen time: Excessive time spent in front of a screen can limit physical activity.
• Transportation: Prioritizing biking or walking helps increase our levels of activity.
• Sociability: Social connections can promote engagement in sports activities.

These interconnected elements form a complex framework to which Mouv’ en Santé seeks to provide data and insights, involving a multidisciplinary approach. One of the ultimate goals is to establish clear links between these factors and to determine solid intervention solutions to reverse the observed trends.

Birth of Mouv’ en Santé: an innovative participatory study

One of the most striking aspects of Mouv’ en Santé is its participatory angle, a choice informed by observing social dynamics during the Covid-19 crisis. At that time, many researchers began to question the impact of the pandemic on physical activity, leading to the emergence of Mouv’ en Santé. It became clear that dispersed research efforts could be unified for a more targeted focus on health through sport.

The CNRS, taking up this reflection, allocated a budget of 90% to this project, with the goal of extending the study in the long term. One of the stated ambitions is to reach one million participants in the next three years, inclusively touching all age groups and social categories. This notably includes youth, seniors, and residents of rural areas, who often lack access to adequate sports facilities. The initiative also encourages the establishment of thematic discussion groups where participants can freely share their concerns and hopes regarding health.

Citizens’ involvement in their own growth

Beyond data collection, the idea is that each participant can identify with the survey results. This interactive process aims to engage the population in a constructive dialogue about their own physical well-being. In the research phase, the project has already generated interest during its presentation at the France club during the Olympic Games, where concrete demonstrations showcased the public enthusiasm for health solutions through physical activity.

Feedback from participants will not only help tailor the project to their needs but also create a list of personalized recommendations, taking into account everyone’s specific characteristics, whether for the path toward a more active lifestyle or managing specific expectations.

The role of brands in promoting physical activity

Major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Decathlon are also involved in this dynamic. By creating programs that promise everyone a role in sports and health, they encourage citizens to adopt a daily routine of physical activity. Outdoor events organized by Salomon or awareness campaigns launched by Under Armour are excellent examples of initiatives strengthening this sports culture.

Brand	Initiatives	Objectives
Nike	Community sports events	Encourage sports practice
Adidas	Free fitness sessions	Promote health through sport
Decathlon	Awareness workshops	Educate about physical activity
Salomon	Hiking and trail courses	Encourage outdoor activities
Under Armour	Running app	Track physical condition

Mouv’ en Santé: towards a future of health and well-being

Through this project, the CNRS hopes not only to assess the physical condition of the population but also to catalyze a global awareness of the importance of physical activity in our lifestyle. The connections between sport, mental health, and social interaction will be emphasized. By partnering with educational institutions and health organizations, New Balance and other market players join efforts by offering adapted sports practices.

The synergy between health and physical activities will also increase with the enthusiasm surrounding the Olympics, pushing everyone toward regularity and renewed motivation. Only studies and data analysis will allow us to understand what motivates or hinders individuals in their quest for better fitness.

Overview of trends in physical health

The diverse testimonies of participants will be crucial in refining knowledge about specific populations. Some notable intervention areas include:

• School education: Integration of physical activities into the educational curriculum.
• Programs for seniors: Special sessions adapted for older individuals.
• Community action: Engagement of local organizations in promoting exercise.
• Digi-health: Use of technologies to motivate and track progress.
• Sustainable practices: Encourage gentle and eco-friendly mobility.

The Mouv’ en Santé project is part of a broader reflection on public health where every voice counts, every action has its impact. The inclusion and engagement of each individual represent a key factor for the positive evolution of physical condition in France.

Future perspectives and collaborations

One of the ambitions pursued in this study is to create a collaborative ecosystem where every actor, whether scientific, citizen, or brand representative, can contribute to enriching the debate. This network could assist in developing innovative solutions that combine sports practice with health. Particular attention will be paid to connecting disciplines and cross-examining viewpoints, potentially leading to crucial discoveries for collective well-being.

A close collaboration with educational institutions and public health stakeholders could also enhance the project’s impact. The coming days promise to be fruitful as Mouv’ en Santé emerges as a forward-looking project that transcends the research framework to integrate values of health, pleasure, and socialization.

By cultivating a genuine interest in collective well-being, each participant in the project could become an ambassador for the benefits of physical activity for health. In this way, we could see a snowball effect that, in the long term, will transform the French relationship with physical activity!