In recent times, due to current trends, there has been a particularly acute problem of deteriorating health among schoolchildren and young students. One important factor in this problem is the underestimation of the role of physical culture in the life of the rising generation. The experience of past generations is of great importance in overcoming the demographic crisis in Ukraine and enhancing the country’s social and economic potential. The actual issues of the development and implementation of health protection measures for the younger generation by means of physical culture, raised in the 20s of the twentieth century by the scientist-hygienist V.Ya. Pidhaietskyi, still occupy a significant place in the implementation of educational programs of educational institutions aimed at reproducing health and ensuring a full genetic fund of the nation. The purpose of the article was to analyze the scientific works of Professor V. Ya. Pidhaietskyi in the field of physical culture and to disclose the importance of scientific research and development of the scientist to preserve the health of the rising generation and youth. In particular, this article highlights the active participation of Professor V. Ya. Pidhaietskyi in the creation of centers of scientific work on this range of problems. The priority measures on physical culture are analyzed, which, in combination with active advisory assistance in the fight against hereditary diseases, according to the scientist’s thought, should have formed the basis of the country’s eugenic policy, which would contribute to the improvement of the demographic situation. The realization of these aspirations of the scientist began to be realized during the leadership of the Institute of Physical Culture of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. Wide scientific erudition, awareness of the latest achievements of the world hygienic science, allowed the head of the Institute V.Ya. Pidhaietskyi to orient the activities of the newly formed units to the study of the most topical problems. Scientific study by Professor V.Ya. Pidhaietskyi of the problems of physical health improvement of the population in combination with a systematic approach to the physical education of the younger generation has become one of the important factors that contributed to the mass development of physical culture and sports in Ukraine. It was substantiated that the questions of reproduction and strengthening of health, formation of healthy lifestyle skills, motivation for comprehensive physical development by means of physical culture, raised by Professor V. Pidhaietskyi in the early ХХ ieth century, have not lost their relevance today. Now, when the situation in the sphere of physical culture and sport remains difficult in Ukraine, it is important to remember the achievements of scientists of medical and preventive profile in this direction. For, both in the past and now, the harmonious development and health of young people are among the priorities of State policy. It is for this reason that a set of measures aimed at preserving health should begin in the preschool period, continue actively in primary school and be reinforced in upper secondary school. In solving these problems, it is important to create and organize a health-preserving educational space aimed at fostering a careful attitude to health, instilling interest and habits in physical exercise and basic knowledge of hygiene in physical education

health; physical culture; genetic pool; health preservation; motion activity