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Graz demands: More exercise for healthy fourth graders at school!
In Schönau, an innovative school project shows how regular exercise in class promotes learning success and health.
Graz demands: More exercise for healthy fourth graders at school!
A worrying picture emerges with regard to the physical activity of children in Germany. According to a recent study, around 20 percent of fourth graders in Graz are overweight. In order to counteract this, increased support for daily gymnastics in schools and kindergartens is required. Small newspaper reports that the influence of regular exercise is of great importance both on learning success and on the healthcare system.
In order to motivate children to exercise more, an interesting program is being implemented at the Schönau elementary school. Before entering the school, children are actively invited to take part in sporting activities. Various games are there.
sketched on the forecourt, and the lessons take place in the auditorium, where, among other things, the children play memory in the push-up position. This form of physical education helps children perceive the lessons as “cool,” which increases their acceptance and enjoyment of exercise.
Challenges and solutions
The problem of lack of exercise in children has not only been discussed since the pandemic. A WHO study from April 2020 shows that the majority of children and adolescents in 146 countries do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines. Journal of Sports Medicine highlights that around 75 percent of children in Germany do not achieve the recommended 60 minutes of moderate activity per day. This insufficient exercise can have serious consequences for mental and physical health.
The need for a concept to promote physical activity in schools is evident. In particular, targeted school sports offerings and the integration of exercise in other subjects and during breaks should be promoted. Positive effects of regular exercise sessions in class have already been documented, and more sports lessons in the curriculum could lead to significant improvements.
Sports teachers and support
Another demand in the discussion is to provide primary schools with their own sports teachers. Current research findings illustrate the challenges that physical education teachers face. In the “School Sports 2020” project, central topics such as the heterogeneous student body, lack of exercise and the potential for stress among sports teachers were examined. Pedagogy specialist portal documents the need to train and support teachers more intensively in order to be able to adequately meet these challenges.
Overall, it is clear that a rethink is necessary in society: exercise must be recognized and promoted as an essential part of everyday school life. Appropriate measures can not only improve children's well-being, but also prevent health risks.