Unit II - Children & Women in Sports
Exercise guidelines of WHO for different age groups
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published exercise guidelines for different age groups, which are designed to promote health and prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Here are the exercise guidelines for different age groups as recommended by the WHO:
Children and Adolescents (aged 5-17 years):
- Children and adolescents should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily.
- This can include activities such as running, swimming, cycling, playing sports, and dancing.
- Muscle-strengthening activities should also be performed at least three times a week, such as push-ups, squats, and lunges.
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Adults (aged 18-64 years):
- Adults should engage in at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.
- This can include activities such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and dancing.
- Muscle-strengthening activities should also be performed at least two days a week, such as lifting weights and doing push-ups or sit-ups.
Older Adults (aged 65 years and older):
- Older adults should engage in at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, depending on their ability.
- This can include activities such as brisk walking, dancing, gardening, and cycling.
- Balance exercises should be performed at least three days a week to prevent falls.
It is important to note that these guidelines are general recommendations and may not be suitable for everyone. Before starting any exercise program, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or injuries.
Common Postural Deformities
1. Knock Knee
In Knock knees, both knees knock or touch each other while standing in a normal position.
(i) Causes: Lack of balanced diet especially – Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus, rickets, obesity, and chronic illness are some causes of Knock-knees.
(ii) Precautions:
- Take a balanced diet
- Babies should not be encouraged to walk at an early age.
2. Bow Legs
It is the opposite of the knock-knee position. If there is a wide gap between knees while standing in a normal position it is bow legs or genu varum.
(i) Causes: Lack of calcium and phosphorus is the main cause of bow legs. Long bones of the leg become soft and bent outwards. Also, the chances of bow legs increase when the child becomes overweight. The deficiency of vitamin D is also the cause.
(ii) Precautions:
- Don’t let children be overweight.
- Take a balanced diet
- Don’t encourage babies to walk at an early age.
3. Flatfoot
Flatfoot is generally found in newborn babies but becomes a postural deformity if it still continues in later childhood. Children with flat foot feel pain when they run and have a problem while standing and walking. There should be a proper arch of the feet for healthy feet.
(i) Causes: The main cause is weak muscles that cannot bear body weight. Also, rapid increase in body weight and improper shoes are some of their causes.
(ii) Precautions:
- The shoe should be of proper shape.
- Obesity should be avoided.
- Don’t walk barefoot.
- Don’t force babies to walk at an early age.
- High-heeled shoes should be avoided.
4. Round Shoulders
The Shoulders become round and sometimes seem to be bent forward.
(i) Causes:
- Heredity,
- Sitting standing, walking in the bent position,
- Lack of proper exercise,
- Wearing very tight clothes
(ii) Precautions:
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes
- Don’t walk, sit, or stand in the bent position
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes
5. Spinal Curvature
There are three types of Spinal Deformities:-
(a) Kyphosis (b) Lordosis (c) Scoliosis
(a) Kyphosis
Kyphosis implies an increase of a backward curve or decrease of forward curve. Depression of the chest is common in kyphosis.
(i) Causes: It is caused by malnutrition, illness, crowded areas, polluted air, insufficient exercise, carrying heavy loads on the shoulder, rickets, etc.
(ii) Precautions: From the very beginning, teachers and parents should teach children the correct posture of sitting, standing, and walking. Proper Exercise helps to maintain the right posture.
(b) Lordosis
Lordosis is the inward curvature of the spine. It creates problems with standing and walking. It can be corrected in the initial stage.
(i) Causes: Imbalance diet, improper development of muscles, obesity and any diseases affecting vertebrae and spinal muscles are the causes of lordosis.
(ii) Precautions:
- A balanced diet should be taken
- Obesity should be kept away, especially at an early age.
- The body should be straight while carrying weight.
(c) Scoliosis
Postural adjustment of the spine in a lateral direction is called scoliosis. A single curve to the left is called the C curve. It can also be found in an S shape.
(i) Causes: Diseases in joints, under-develop legs, infantile paralysis, rickets, carrying a heavy load on one shoulder, wrong standing posture etc are its causes.
(ii) Precautions:
- Take balanced diet
- Avoid sideways bending position
- Avoid carrying a heavyweight on one hand for too long.
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Corrective Measures for Postural Deformities
1. For Knock-knees
- Horse Riding
- Keep the Pillow between your knees for some time.
- Use walking callipers
- Perform padmasana and gomukhasana.
2. For Bow Legs
- Walk by bending the toes inward.
- Perform garudasana, ardha chakrasana and ardhmatseyendrasana.
- Walk on the inner edge of the feet.
- Stand erect with feet joined together.
3. For Flatfoot
- Jumping Rope
- Jumping on toes.
- Stand up & down on heels.
- Walk on toes
4. For Round Shoulders
- Hold horizontal Bars
- Perform Chakrasana & dhanurasana.
- Keep the tips of your fingers on your shoulder and rotate your hand in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
5. (a) For Kyphosis
- Lie on the back (supine position)- with knees up and feet flat on the ground. Hands should be on the side. Slowly move your arms sideways horizontally from sideways to head. Palms should face upward. Hold this position for some time and then return your arms back. Repeat the exercise at least 10 times.
- Lie down on the chest (prone position)- with hands on the hips. Raise your head and trunk several inches and hold the position. Repeat at least 10 times.
- Sit in a normal position- with a stick held with hands in a horizontal position overhead. Lower the stick and raise it behind head your head and shoulders. Repeat 10- 12 times.
- Perform Dhanurasana regularly.
5. (b) For Lordosis
- Lie down in a prone position with hands under the abdomen. Press your hands upon your abdomen and raise the lower back.
- Bend knees forward while allowing hips to bend backwards. The back should be straight and the knees should be in the same direction as the feet.
- Sit on the chair with feet wide apart. Bend and position your shoulders between your knees. Then reach the floor under the back of the chair.
- Perform Halasan Regularly.
5. (c) For Scoliosis
- Lie down in a prone position
- Stand erect with feet a few inches apart.
- Stand erect with feet several inches apart.
Women’s Participation in Sports
Women's participation in sports has numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits. Here are some of the key benefits:
Physical benefits:
- Improved cardiovascular health: Regular physical activity, such as sports, can improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Increased muscle strength and endurance: Engaging in sports can help build and maintain muscle mass, which can improve overall strength and endurance.
- Weight management: Sports can help women maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis.
Psychological benefits:
- Improved mood: Physical activity has been shown to boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Increased self-esteem: Women who participate in sports may experience improved self-esteem and body image.
- Reduced stress: Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
Social benefits:
- Increased social support: Women who participate in sports may have greater access to social support networks, which can provide emotional and practical support.
- Increased social connectedness: Participating in sports can help women feel connected to their communities and develop new friendships.
- Increased leadership skills: Women who participate in sports may develop leadership skills and have opportunities to take on leadership roles within their communities.
Overall, women's participation in sports can have a positive impact on physical health, mental health, and social well-being. Encouraging and supporting women's participation in sports is an important step towards promoting gender equality and empowering women.
Special consideration (Menarche & Menstrual Dysfunction)
Menarche
Menstrual Dysfunction
Some special considerations that can be taken to support girls and women in these situations are:
Female Athletes Triad (Osteoporosis, Amenorrhea, Eating Disorders)
Osteoporosis
Amenorrhea
Eating Disorders
Two Types:-