Students compete in a 1,000-meter long-distance running test as part of their high school entrance examinations in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province on April 15, 2022. Photo: IC

Multiple places in Southwest China's Guizhou Province decided to cancel long-distance running requirements, part of the PE exam, for the high school entrance examinations this year, considering the impact that COVID-19 might still leave on students' health. 

Cities and prefectures in Guizhou including Guiyang, Zunyi, Liupanshui and Qiannan have decided to cancel the men's 1,000-meter and women's 800-meter running tests for the high school entrance examinations this year as the new semester approaches. 

Other PE test items such as standing long jump or theory tests of sports health knowledge will replace long-distance running tests. 

Apart from the adjustment in the PE exam for high school entrance examinations, some local education authorities will monitor exercise loads in school PE teaching, focusing on aerobic exercises of medium and low intensity and gradually restoring the students' athletic abilities. 

Meanwhile, the education authorities also urged the schools to guide students to make reasonable and scientific choices and conduct special training of sports examination items on the basis of the students' practical conditions, avoid early conduct of sports of high intensity and high load, such as middle- and long-distance running, and high-intensity strength exercises.

Experts have reminded that strenuous exercises should be avoided after people recover from COVID-19, so as to prevent recurrent illness, or aggravating heart damage after viral infection, according to media reports. 

Some doctors have suggested people to avoid strenuous exercises for three to four months after recovery from COVID infections since hypoxia can occur during strenuous exercise, which can cause faint and even sudden death. 

The doctors also noted that moderate exercises can aid recovery, suggesting to start from the minimum amount of exercises.

Outside of Guizhou, policymakers and political advisors in provinces and municipalities such as Fujian, Shanghai and Sichuan also suggested to adjust the PE test items for the high school entrance examinations.

Global Times