The benefits of active movement since childhood include openness to new experiences, increasing tendency to continue sports until death, and a good health history.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Being active since childhood by engaging in some form of physical activity, physical training, and sports will have a positive impact during adulthood, a sports medicine physician from the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI) stated.

"The benefits of active movement since childhood include openness to new experiences, increasing tendency to continue sports until death, and a good health history," Listya Trensnanti Mirtha noted through a press statement on Friday.

A study on World War II veterans shows that the strongest factor in estimating a person's prosperity during adulthood is their activeness while they were in school.

Specifically, the benefit of physical activity for children comprises maintaining the body's fitness and health and reducing the risk factors of metabolic diseases.

In addition, it reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improves concentration, memory, and behavior in the classroom.

"We know only one term, which is sports. However, within the terminology of sports medicine, there are actually three terms, specifically physical activity, physical exercise, and, specifically, sports," Mirtha explained.

"Whatever it is, the aim is to make children healthier and bigger achievers," she noted.

She recommended that children and teenagers engage in at least 60 minutes of intense physical activity daily for at least thrice per week.

For children aged 7-10 years specifically, Mirtha also advised sports, such as softball, running, baseball, and others, by considering the children's capability and interest.

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"For the duration, the suggested time is 60 minutes per day and including in activities within a day, with no special additional time necessary," she noted.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology had also highlighted the importance of exercising for the character development of children.

"Engaging in sports is one of the ways to improve the relationship between parents and children. Sports also help build noble personalities in children," Director of Elementary School Development at the ministry Sri Wahyuningsih remarked.

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Translator: Lia Santosa, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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