Physical Fitness Goals for ’90 Held Unlikely to Be Met

The Centers for Disease Control reported Friday that at least five of 11 physical fitness goals for 1990, which it outlined at the beginning of the decade, probably won’t be met.

“Evidence indicates that regular physical activity reduces the incidence of . . . many medical conditions,” the CDC said in its weekly report, citing the benefits of exercise in fighting heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes and obesity.

Some of the government’s 1990 “Objectives for the Nation,” published in 1980, and the progress--or lack thereof--that has been made include:

--The proportion of adults ages 18-65 participating three times a week in vigorous, 20-minute exercise should exceed 60%. Unlikely to be met; a 1984-87 survey shows that about 8% of adults exercise regularly at such a level.

--Half of Americans 65 and older should walk, swim or engage in other “appropriate” aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Not likely; a 1985 survey showed that while 46% of older Americans said they walked for exercise, only 8% met the three-times-a-week, 20-minute level.

--More than 90% of children ages 10-17 should participate three times a week in 20-minute sessions of vigorous exercise. Not likely to be met; a 1984 survey found that 66% of children exercised at that level.