AS A YOUNG BOY, I grew up when playing outside was a given. We were thrown out by our parents and expected to entertain ourselves, play with our friends, and invent our entertainment. It was the best start possible, and I have remained physically active and believe staying healthy is a social responsibility.
I rarely visit my doctor, and it has always been an emergency issue when I need to use the NHS service. Sadly, as a society, the NHS is generally viewed as a huge comfort blanket that negates personal responsibility. It does perform miracles, but we are testing it beyond its limit each day, and it needs to be more sustainable.
Physical inactivity is one of the most common and persistent contributors to poor health, and successive health-based models have failed to promote physical activity to the extent necessary. More persuasion than just public campaigns and social recognition of the health benefits of a physically active lifestyle is needed to change people’s behaviour and motivate them to exercise regularly.
According to recent research, only 2.7% of adults achieve all four fundamental standards for a “healthy lifestyle”, as agreed upon by scientists. The behaviour standards they measured were low, and the survey didn’t seek out marathon runners.
Being a non-smoker, having a healthy diet, a good body fat percentage, and getting at least 150 minutes of moderate to strenuous physical activity per week were the four factors they were searching for.
Meta-Age is a platform for people who want the tools to live a healthier, longer life. But our altruistic goal is to have a tangible impact on the fitness of children’s lives. We want to ensure every primary school in the UK has a fitness coach to teach children Super6. Six doable exercises for all body types form a straightforward exercise programme that takes less than ten minutes to complete. It’s an excellent warm-up for any fitness or sporting activity and can be done in a small space without any equipment.
The six exercises aim to empower children’s belief systems by breaking down any negativity and obstacles towards their ability to perform them. The exercises are progressive so that, as the children improve and feel more accomplished, it helps turn the movement into a regular part of daily life, like brushing their teeth.
Each exercise is associated with breath (inhale or exhale). Breath awareness lowers stress and enhances concentration, affecting how children think, feel, behave and communicate. With time they can easily translate this mental process to other aspects of their life, leading to self-empowerment and, ultimately, success.
Statistics show that approximately one out of every four youngsters only get 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Participation in all forms of physical activity decreases considerably as a child ages. Because of our modern lifestyles and increased reliance on technology, adults and children are less active than ever. Sedentary children are more likely to become inactive adults, placing young people at risk of acquiring life-threatening diseases. This is why promoting exercise and fitness from a young age is critical.
Physical activity must be a frequent, consistent, and fun element of children’s lives. According to research, habits developed during childhood are significantly more likely to stick with a person into adulthood.
By encouraging sports and physical activities, the whole family, children and parents will achieve a solid foundation for a lifetime of health. Encouraging children to take the lead with Super6, parents and teachers can also embrace physical activity and become more inclined to value fitness and exercise. Adults can learn when children lead by example. Thus, adults must model a positive relationship with exercise for children to appreciate its importance.
When children exercise with adults daily, they will see fitness’s intrinsic benefits and understand why fitness is a great way to learn about their bodies and how movement can improve their focus and happiness. They will grasp the significance of exercise and be much more inclined to value it.
We want to see Super6 incorporated into the school curriculum in Years 6 and 7 so they can influence future generations of children in secondary and senior schools. And our forthcoming Super6 event aims to reach as many youngsters as possible and set a Guinness World Record for the biggest mass children’s fitness class to celebrate National Fitness Day on 20th September 2023.
The NHS Central and NW London endorsement of Super6 strengthens the health message with a more compelling argument that Meta-Age makes life worth living.
