Childhood Ftiness

Childhood Fitness

Physical activity and fitness is a very important aspect of life. In most cases, people are happier, have better self Ð'- esteems, and are more successful when they are healthy. By virtue of that scenario, there is no better time to develop a healthy life style than childhood. It is easy for parents to get their children on the right track by introducing them to sports at a young age.

In today's society, too many children spend excessive time indoors watching television and playing video games. Children are becoming couch potatoes more and more each day. Childhood is the worst time to develop unhealthy habits. This type of behavior is the basis for an unhealthy, inactive lifestyle. Young kids need to get outside in the fresh air and stay active. In this day and age, there is no excuse for obesity in children. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, less than 1 percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems (obesity 1). Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related primarily to lack of exercise and laziness. The parents of these young ones should be intelligent and responsible enough to see the positive effects of physical activity and sports. Athletics often gets children active and physically fit without them even knowing it. They are too busy having fun and competing to realize they are exercising.

Individuals opposing the idea of early involvement in sports might argue that the added pressure or stress from competition will have a negative impact on children. However, if one were to pick up a health book, he/she would find that there are two types of stress. There is distress and u stress. When asked, many people may not be aware of the meaning of either word. Distress is bad stress, causing pain or suffering of the body and mind. U stress is good stress, which motivates individuals to work and try harder. It can also be a nervousness caused from positive events, such as child birth. In the heat of competition stress is certainly prevalent. However, it is a positive stress that motivates and pushes athletes to strive for excellence and victory. This same stress encourages athletes to exercise and train in hopes of improving competition performance. Life is a stressful period; however that's no excuse to be inactive.

Once a child is hooked on sports, only positive things can result from that. It lays the foundation for character traits that the child will need to utilize in real world situations. Athletics develops traits such as discipline, sportsmanship, determination, and responsibility. These types of characteristics can only help an adolescent develop into a better person and young adult. I have been involved in sports for my entire life, and it has given me so much. It's taught me how to set goals and has showed me how to work hard to attain them.

Due to my strong background in athletics, I am a very disciplined and goal - oriented person. I follow a daily workout schedule that keeps me stronger, happier, and healthier. In the past, I have held various jobs, always receiving positive feedback from my manager for having an excellent work ethic. I also find that I perform better in school during an athletic season. It keeps me on a schedule and helps me to stay focused. It requires me to be responsible by paying equal attention to both my health and my school work.

Athletics has also taught me how to be a leader and a better friend. In my high school career, I was captain of both my football and wrestling team. I was also asked to be a guest speaker at the Rutherford Junior Football banquet. The league consisted of children from the ages of 7 to 13 years old. Part of my speech was to reinforce the great principles football will instill in these young athletes. I found that the younger athletes began to look up to me. Not only was I the team leader, but I developed into somewhat of a role model. It leaves an individual with a positive feeling when helping others. I truly felt gratified when it became evident that the underclassmen were learning from and following my positive examples. It allows people to give back to their friends and peers as they strive towards a common goal. Working together with your peers in a team environment, teaches children the correct way to interact with others. In any real life situation, the ability to communicate is essential for growth amongst all parties. I myself plan to be a coach and Physical Education teacher one day. In this field it is imperative to have the ability to communicate with others, and I feel I am already well prepared.

Involvement in sports can identify strategies most likely to be effective in helping young people adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle. Young people can build healthy bodies and establish healthy lifestyles by including sports and physical activity in their daily lives. However, many young people are not physically active on a regular basis, and physical activity declines dramatically during adolescence. "Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese" (Obesity 1). Sports and recreation programs can help young people get active and stay active.

The benefits of athletics go on and on. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, and finally reduces anxiety and stress. Most of this information can be found in any old health text book. But most importantly, young people learn how to stay healthy, and because they feel good about themselves, they are less likely to get involved with drugs or alcohol (Schwarzenegger). In addition, young people say they like physical activity because it is fun; they do it with friends; and it helps them learn skills, stay in shape, and look better.

Involvement in sports provides children not only with health benefits, but also with life long relationships. Throughout my years of sports, I have developed countless friendships. In the present day, my best friends are the gentlemen that I've played sports with for years; and I am happy to say that out relationships are stronger then ever. Being on a team is like being part of a family. For children who come from a broken home, it may be the only family they have. Many teams have such strong team unity, those young men feel as if they would do anything for each other. In some cases these gentlemen become so close; they consider each other to be brothers. It is an amazing feeling, and truly makes a person feel good inside. The bonds of friendship created through athletic competition are practically unbreakable. It is a positive experience

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