On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched “Fit India Edge Appropriate Fitness Protocol” during an online Fit India Dialogue on the first anniversary of the Fit India Movement. PM’s interaction with India skipper Virat Kohli via video link as part of the “Fit India Dialogue” today had the discussion take many turns.
Kohli who is presently in the UAE for the on going Indian Premier League 2020 spoke to PM Modi on various topics. PM Modi asked him about the YO YO test and wanted to know if the skipper has to pass it as well or is he spared.
PM Modi asked, “I heard these days there is a Yo-Yo test for the team, what is this test?”
Kohli in his reply confirmed that even he has to undergo the test and also stated, “This test was very important from fitness point of view. If we talk about global fitness level, our fitness level is still low compared to other teams and we want to take it up, which is a basic requirement.”
“Don’t you ever feel tired,” PM Modi was curious.
“Honestly, we do. That is the result of any physical exertion. But the focus is always on how fast one can recover. With a healthy lifestyle and diet, a good sleep cycle and fitness, our recovery is good,” Virat Kohli replied.
YO YO test is a variation of the deep test which is a 20 meter Shuttle Run Test. It is a running test that is used for estimating an athlete’s aerobic capacity. It requires the player to run 20 meters back and forth across a marked track keeping time with beep. The frequency of the deep gradually increases for the subsequent runs.
Kohli shared that he is so passionate about his fitness regime that, “I don’t mind missing practice but I feel bad if I miss my fitness session.”
Then PM joked: “This mantra (fitness) must have meant a huge loss for Delhi’s Chhole Bhature!”
Kohli with a big smile on his face agreed with a guilt and said, “Back in our native region, we had simple home-cooked food and people were rarely sick. But we grew up in city and often had unhealthy eating habits. For my physical fitness, my diet had to change,”
“We do miss some food, but it is all about priority, about what we value more. We have to be aware of what we are eating. People need to know what they want from their diet and their fitness plan.”
Towards the end, PM Modi congratulated Virat Kohli and wife Anushka Sharma, who are expecting their first child earlier next year.
PM Modi also spoke with many other athletes and influential people during the virtual dialogue, some of the big name were, Paralympic Javelin gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia and woman footballer from Jammu and Kashmir Afshan Ashiq. Also present were actor, runner Milind Soman and nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar.