Dongguan Institute of Science and Technology has installed a batch of swipe-in machines at its running track to ensure that students exercise regularly. .

“We would like to improve their physical quality, like the heart-lung capability endurance,” said Xin Honglin, chief of the school’s sports department.

A habitual lack of daily exercise has seen more and more youngsters struggle to complete even a short run, according to Xin. Many of those who do participate get injured or wheeze, and others simply avoid the exercises assigned by the physical education teacher.

In order to prepare students for the national sports test, the school required all freshmen and sophomores to run an 800-meter race (for females) and 1,000-meter race (for males) twice a week before the winter break. And if any student tries to finish all the races at one time rather than as a weekly routine, the score in the system will be cancelled.

For those who don’t reach required running goals, they will fail their physical education evaluation. And the machine can also detect whether the students are walking or running - a data breach will occur if they are found to be walking.

As soon as the machines surfaced on campus, students were quick to leave comments on the school’s WeChat account.

“It’s all good, 1,000 meters doesn’t seem too much,” said @Ozzzer.

“I have dancing class every week already and am very tired, why the extra running?” complained @Yongganjuequhuxi.

According to a research and status report on China’s college students’ obesity, more than 20 percent of college students were overweight and had obesity problems in 2015.

The younger generation is being urged to keep an eye on the health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, but there is still a long way to go in terms of changing the unhealthy ways of many students.