Movement, Play and Sports as Prevention and Health Promotion in Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract

The disappearance of free natural spaces for movement, and the growing use of media and technology lead to a loss of spatial, social and direct physical-aesthetic experiences.  Consequences for children and young people are often expressed as weaknesses in coordination and physical posture, obesity, perception and cognitive impairment, antisocial and aggressive behavior, reduced physical strength, addiction problems as well as mental and psychosomatic damages.  The question is how to help children and adolescents develop a strong, stable and resilient personality that can deal with conscious problems and critical events.  Furthermore, how, in a world full of dangers, one can support children and young people to enhance their health and develop a positive personality and how movement, play and sport can contribute to this. The method adopted for the study was a review of the bibliography.  In the context of this study, the possibilities of movement, play and sport are identified to prevent developmental disorders of children and adolescents due to drug use, physical illness, psychosomatic disorders, and psychosocial disorders.  In conclusion, offers, in terms of movement, play and sports, should be organized in such a way that children and young people experience success.  To this end, it is necessary for the teaching and learning method to be individualized and diversified, to offer simplifications and to present achievable accessible goals.