We live in an era in which children are more interested in video game consoles, cell phones, and television programs. As a result, they are not interested in sports or physical activities that could reduce the risk of suffering damages to their health.  The WHO states that 80% of children in the world do not exercise consistently, which puts their health at risk. 

Jumping, running, biking, swimming, or any other exercise is good for health and provides multiple benefits for children’s development. Experts recommend exercising every day to optimize physical and mental conditions, to be healthy, and to interact with others in a healthy way, and they emphasize the need to do sports in the developmental stage of children. Children do not understand the importance of playing sports during their childhood; however, parents must instill in them nutritional and physical habits that prevent children from becoming inactive adults. 

The sport practiced depends on the age and preference of the children. For example, for younger children, the most appropriate are those that combine fun with activities that develop their psychomotor skills, balance, and coordination. When they are teenagers, they can start with more specialized training appropriate to their age. 

Benefits of doing sports

1. Improves physical and mental growth and prevents health problems: Playing sports stimulates the growth of children, since it stimulates bone and muscle tissue. It also helps develop skills such as spatial perception, coordination, balance, and agility. In addition, it helps prevent overweight and obesity since doing sports activates the immune system. 
2. Helps create healthy habits: Among them; healthy eating, hygiene habits, and work organization. 
3. Increases self-esteem: When a child is able to overcome challenges, they become more self-confident and develops the ability to face new challenges and situations, which increases their self-esteem. 
4. Decreases stress and optimizes school performance: Children
    who exercise regularly find it easier to concentrate on their school activities. It also helps to combat possible anxiety or depression crises and optimizes mood.
5. Overcomes shyness and improves social skills: Playing sports makes it possible to develop socialization skills with other children. Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills are also developed.
6. Prevents sedentary lifestyles: Playing a sport prevents children from spending too much time in other sedentary and passive activities. 

UNIB offers the Master in Physical Activity: Sports Training and Management. 

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Source: The importance of sports in children’s development