The paper, based on publications and scientific research of Lithuanian and foreign authors, presents the actual of health status and physical activity of young people. Scientific evidence has become compelling that a sedentary lifestyle carries a risk for the development of coronary artery disease, obesity, hypertension, and other chronic diseases of adulthood. These problems manifest during adulthood, they are lifelong processes with origins in pediatric years. Socialization processes and motivational factors should be emphasized to promote actine lifestyles among the young. The aim of the study to research pupils‘ physical activity and health at V-XI forms of the Basanavičiaus secondary school in Vilnius. The tasks of the study were to investigate the scientific, pedagogical and medical literature on the chosen topic, to examine pupils‘ mental and physical working capacity per day and per week, to evaluate physical activity during leisure time and to find out the causes of the physical passivity. The methods of investigation. The following methods for the accomplishment of the study were used The analysis of the literary sources (pedagogical, sociological, medical). Pedagogical–sociological methods: questionanaire survey, interview, pedagogical experiment. Statistical analysis. Conclusion Mental working capacity is influented by the following factors: the teaching methodsmaterial, process of promotion, the organisation of the pupils daily routine, school anxiety, support within the family, rest, addcharge during the lesson. It was established that different factors influence pupils‘ physical activity. The most important being the school conditions, aims of the activity and value orientations through wich the social system regulates the behaviour of the personality. Pedagogical factors are also very important: daytime table, leisure, business. The task of the school is to organize the learning process: to create a balance between intellectual and physical activities, to create a timetable wich satisfies both the need for exersise and learning. Key words: physical activity, health, social and pedagogical conditions, motivation.