When 19-year-old Aarav left school, the cricket field, morning drills and compulsory game period quietly disappeared from his life. There was no bell reminding him to move, no coach insisting he show up. Within months, his routine shrank to lectures, screens and long hours sitting. His story is no longer unusual. A new national poll suggests it may, in fact, be the norm.

A recent survey by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, conducted in February among 1,550 parents of children aged 18 to 25, has found that one in three young adults is minimally active or completely inactive. The findings point to what experts are beginning to call a quiet but worrying shift—a “fitness cliff” that many young people fall off soon after finishing school.

“Younger children and teens often have built-in opportunities to stay active through gym class, sports and extracurricular activities,” said Susan Woolford. “Physical activity has a profound impact on overall health, but many people do not maintain the same level of activity as they get older.”

The drop is not sudden by accident. It is structural. Once school ends, the scaffolding that kept movement routine simply vanishes. “Young adulthood can be a particularly challenging time, especially as structured opportunities like sports and gym classes fall away,” Woolford noted. “After high school, young adults often need to put in more effort to find activities they enjoy and make time for them.”

Parents, who often watch this transition from the sidelines, point to familiar obstacles. Lack of time. Lack of interest. And above all, the magnetic pull of screens. Gaming, streaming and social media are not just distractions—they are, increasingly, replacements for physical activity. Among parents of inactive young adults, screen use and disinterest stand out as dominant barriers.

“Parents are telling us that interest is a major barrier,” Woolford said. “If young adults do not find physical activity enjoyable, they are much less likely to make it part of their routine.”

The shift becomes sharper with age. According to the poll, those aged 18 to 20 are still more likely to engage in social and playful activities—dancing, skating, and informal sports. By 21 and beyond, that begins to fade. Exercise becomes more solitary. More functional. Gym sessions replace games. Movement starts to feel like a task rather than something fun.

“This shift may reflect a move away from social forms of activity to more independent ones,” Woolford explained. “Social connection can make physical activity more enjoyable and may help people stay active longer.”

Science supports this observation in simple terms. Regular movement helps the heart pump better, keeps weight in check and improves mood by releasing natural “feel-good” chemicals in the brain. When activity drops, these benefits quietly fade, increasing long-term risks such as heart disease, fatigue and even anxiety.

Yet, despite the stakes, the healthcare system appears to be under-engaged. The poll reveals that only about one in four parents recall a healthcare provider discussing physical activity with their young adult in recent years. Experts describe this as a missed opportunity.

“Encouragement alone is not always enough,” Woolford said. “Finding activities that are enjoyable and accessible is key to helping young adults build lasting habits, especially if they can be linked to things they value.”

One solution stands out for its simplicity. The “buddy effect”. Exercising with a friend or partner does more than fill time—it builds accountability. It turns effort into interaction. A walk becomes a conversation. A game becomes a shared break from routine.

“A ‘buddy’ approach… can make a difference,” Woolford said, noting that shared activity often feels less like work and more like a social experience.

For many parents, the concern runs deeper than daily habits. There is growing anxiety about long-term health and even employability in a world that increasingly values energy, resilience and mental sharpness. But experts stress that this stage of life also offers a window of opportunity.

“A common challenge for young adults is maintaining a healthy lifestyle as they become more independent,” Woolford said. “For some, that means fitting exercise into a busy schedule or limited budget. For others, it’s about building a routine.”

The message is clear. Graduating from school should not mean graduating from health. The habits formed in these years—active or inactive—do not just shape the present. They quietly define the future.