Physically Active kids, Adults will make healthy Globe by 2025: Experts at Amity

Amity School of Physical Education & Sport Sciences (ASPESS) organized a visit of International Sports Medicine Delegation, at Amity University Campus, Sector – 125, Noida. The objective of the visit was to develop a better understanding of the current need of incorporating physical activity in children and adults in India and to learn about the existing health problems and barriers that prevent adults and children from becoming physically active.

Addressing the gathering, Delegation Leader, Dr. J. Larry Durstine, Past President, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) shared “Being physically active can reduce the risk of diseases. People all across the globe need to be physically active to enjoy better health. The health condition of the children is what carves the future of any country. Practice of physical activity and regular exercise is a preventive to the most common health problems of the world, such as Diabetes, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol.” Emphasizing on the importance of ensuring quality living for children, Dr. Durstine said “In order to overcome the problem of chronic diseases, each of us should involve ourselves in some kind of physical activity as by doing it for ourselves, we set an example and can become good educators to all around us who are yet to be made aware of the benefits of physical activity.”

Dwelling on the Importance of incorporating physical activity in our daily lives, Mr. Haig Balkeian, Exercise Therapist/ Health and Fitness Consultant, Emirates Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said “Health promotion is a central issue and in order to address the concern of health promotion, all of us need to work together towards impacting the legislation at the Government level to enhance the health of our nations.”

During her presentation on ASPESS, Prof. Kalpana Sharma, Director, ASPESS, said “Since health concerns are rising, it is time thatr India also gears up for a healthy future for its population. It is important that health programs are made to run in schools addressing the health of each child. Every child should be motivated to identify himself/herself with any one sport in order ensure fitness in the long run.” Informing that presently in India, Health and Physical Education in the schools is recommended as a compulsory subject focusing on ‘Physical Health Development of Children’, ‘Social, Emotional and Mental Health Development of Children’ and ‘Sports Facility Development’ Prof. Sharma said “ there will be a change in the health scenario of the country by 2025.”

The delegation comprised of Dr. J. Larry Durstine, Past President, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Mr. Haig Balkeian, Exercise Therapist/ Health and Fitness Consultant, Emirates Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dr. Roberto Carlos Burni, Full Professor, UNESP Medical School, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ms. April D. Davis, Registered Dietitian & Clinical Exercise Specialist, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA, Ms. Yvonne R. Reid, member, ACSM, Ms. Connie Gordon, Screening Team Lead, Rock Hill, south Carolina, USA, Dr. Mychelle Shegog, Orthopedic surgeon, Mid – Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (MAPMG), Largo, Maryland, USA and Dr. Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhD, President & CEO, Gramecy Research Group, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA.

Also present during the program were Mr. K.S Bains, Director General, Amity Institute of Training & Development (AITD), Dr. Nitesh Bansal, Director, Amity Institute of Physiotherapy (AIPT), students and faculty members of AIPT and ASPESS.

The program was followed by an interactive session amongst the delegates, students and faculty members of ASPESS and AIPT, wherein issues like Importance of good academic programs and research, Importance and ways of burning calories, Benefits of Vitamin D, Usefulness of Yoga and Role of media in promoting health awareness were discussed.