Designed to move

We are designed to move - its a great world action. The reason is serious - todays 10 -year-olds will probably live about five years less than their parents. The forecast can be changed provided we are active moving. All because that we are designed to move!

The facts are frightening. People around the world have stopped to spend time actively. Several years ago, physical activity was an integral part of everyday life, today it seems to be normal that most of the people just do not live actively at all. For the last two generations physical activity of English people has decreased by 20 %, in the United States is lower by 32 %, while in China the decrease in the activity of the present generation compared to the previous one is more than 45 %!

It is estimated that 5.3 million deaths in the world, just this year, will be caused by the lack of physical activity. For comparison every year 5 million people die due to smoking tobacco. The lack of physical activity not only means a conscious sentencing of the higher risk of morbidity and shorter life. The lack of activity in our lives has also an adverse effect on the economy of individual country. Todays 10 -year-olds are the first generation that will probably live about five years less than their parents.

What can be done to change these frightening facts? First - we have to realize how important sports activities are for individuals, generations, and entire nations. We have to remember that being active parents, we also shape our children to live actively. It is children, especially those who are not 10 years of age yet, who are the key to success. But young children are constantly in motion, and we, adults, cannot cope with their endless energy. This continuous movement in childhood results in a much better development of the child in the next stage of his/her life and its not just about better physical development, but mainly for their intellectual, emotional development and their social contacts.

According to scientists, the time till 10 years of age is the most important period in a childs life, during which we can form his/her attitude towards physical activity. Understanding and accepting this fact is the first key element in the way of change. The next step is to create early, positive experiences related to sport and physical activity! Sport should give the children first and foremost pleasure, then they will want to come back to the fun and games or activities they like and give them pleasure. We shouldnt force them into something they dont like and we shouldnt require great results from beginning. Let them be kids and let their active leisure time to be enjoyable.

The second key element is the will and the reorganization of life in such a way that in our everyday life- comfortable, dominated by the latest technology, we find time and space for sports activities, and let it be an integral part of each day.

Source: DesignedtoMove.org and Nike, Inc