The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one hour of exercise a day for children. The WHO does not even ask for sport, it is happy about simple activities such as walking, climbing stairs or cycling. "Parents and children have literally frozen in the past ten to 15 years," says sports scientist Endré Puskas from Berlin.
Puskas has been working in the "Fidelio" program in the Berlin Sports Health Park for 20 years. Overweight and sedentary children and teenagers learn to enjoy activity there. From Puskas' point of view, two or three times 45 minutes of school sport a week can no longer compensate for existing deficits.
"Building up, dismantling, presence, standing in a row and waiting until you jump overboard - that has nothing to do with sport and exercise," says Puskas. Of the 45 minutes after moving and warming up, about eight to ten minutes were left in which children could let off steam.
If children move too little in the long term, this almost always has a negative impact - from obesity to diabetes to joint and concentration problems. Many still feel the consequences of their lack of exercise as adolescents and adults.
Leisure? None
According to numerous experts, smartphones, tablets, television and computer games are considered to be one of the causes of indolence among children. Hendrik Hein, father and sports teacher at the Carl-Schurz School in Frankfurt am Main, also takes this view. However, he also sees other causes.
Children today have a busy schedule, many of which take place while sitting. Unscheduled leisure time? None. Hein also observes that the spaces in which children can spend themselves without close supervision are shrinking. "When I jumped from the tree twenty times as a child, I know what I'm doing," says the sports teacher. This is the best way to acquire body control basics that can prevent worse accidents while playing.
Hein believes that school sport no longer compensates for the lack of exercise. In addition, physical education in many schools is often the first to fail. The educator believes it is important to hit the nerves of children when it comes to physical activity. "With Parkour training I can convince my students to do the same movements rather than when I call gymnastics."
"Treasure hunt" instead of a walk
Sitting less and spending less time in front of screens are an asset for children - all experts agree. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) recommends at least 1.5 hours of exercise a day, especially after long periods of sitting, for example at school. In two to three days, it can be more strenuous, be it volleyball training or swimming.
Other activities do not have to be expensive and time-consuming - and can often be easily integrated into everyday life. The way to school can sometimes be done on foot or by bike. Another advice from the BZgA is that when parents declare the walk to be a "treasure hunt", especially younger children are more likely to get excited about it. Who will be the first to find something red or the most beautiful stone?
In addition, families should go out in any weather - in the park, on the playground or just romp, play and balance on trees, walls and stairs. But movement is also possible inside, for example when parents have the small caves built or the carpet becomes a playground. Sports teacher Hein says: "You have to take away the comfort from the children!" If you want children to move without instructions, you have to promote their independence: "Go on foot, take your bike, that alone is a big point," says Hein.
If it works, YouTube can also help
Moderate training in the gym is a good addition for older teenagers, says the sports teacher. Sports and exercise in parks or on soccer fields are free - in many places there are table tennis tables, basketball hoops or gates to kick. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) recommends fitness or exercise apps in addition to sports clubs. Parents should choose a suitable offer with their children. Influencers also present fitness exercises at home on YouTube channels, which have the potential to motivate the next generation.
However, Éndre Puskas also observes positive tendencies, young parents who are increasingly paying attention to nutrition and media consumption or who sometimes take their offspring with them for a run. Children cannot be overwhelmed - rather underwhelmed, says the sports scientist: "If the child is at the border, then he doesn't go on. Only adults do that." He appeals to parents: "We all have to be more active and we have to move - then the children move with us."