Events like the Olympics and Paralympics can be inspiring. But to get more kids moving, we need to address the 'enjoyment gap' by shifting the emphasis from competitive sport to activity and play
As we prepare to settle down on our sofas to watch the latest generation of Olympians and Paralympians perform jaw-dropping feats of physical prowess, the irony won’t be lost on many of us – especially if we are watching with children.
In May, the World Health Organization once again made it clear that the majority of adolescents globally don’t get enough, and children in England and Wales are among the most inactive in the world. As with many other issues, the finger of blame here is often pointed atIt is true that time spent in front of TVs, iPads and other devices competes with opportunities for physical activity.
This is especially true for girls, with disparities in physical activity by gender emerging at a very young age and widening dramatically when children enter senior school. The causes of thisinclude period problems and embarrassment about how they are performing in front of boys. Offering single-sex sports sessions and focusing more on activity and play, rather than competition, would go a long way to help.
So while events like the Olympics and Paralympics can be inspiring, we should shift the dialogue away from competitive sport and exercise in favour of activity, which is much easier to fit into daily life and can be fun and accessible for all.
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