Every year we try to get as many Cape Town children to take part in the “MySchool Move for Your Health 6km Fun Walk/Run” with the generous help of the City of Cape Town.
This includes transporting kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in the event, by bus.
We are thrilled to have received R2 500 from Springfield Convent – which will ensure that one bus load of 60 children are able to experience a wonderful day out. We salute them for their rapid response to our plea and hope that other schools will come forward and follow their lead.
If your school or your company is interested in sponsoring a bus trip for 60 children, please get in touch by e-mailing move4health@ssisa.com or calling Raeesa Kamalie on 021 659 5661.
Are you keen to participate but are dead scared at the prospect of running or walking 6km? Do not fear. For the next six consecutive weeks, Northern News will publish the Sports Science Institute of SA (SSISA) programme on how to train for this run/walk.
This fun experience is part of the Landmarks event, taking place alongside the 21.1km race on Sunday October 30 at the Western Province Cricket Club. Aside from the weekly training programme, tips and inspiration, UCT’s Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine’s Dr Catherine Draper will be providing expert evidence-based advice on how to raise healthy kids.
As Dr Draper suggests, most of us would agree that investing in the youth means investing in the future. Part of this investment involves their health and well-being, which, if maximised, can help kids reach their full potential.
Healthy nutrition is a key component of health and well-being, but it goes hand in hand with some other health behaviours, including physical activity, screen time and sleep.
This week we look at the value of kids moving more.
“Physical activity plays a vital role in children’s health and well-being, and has a wide range of benefits for not only their physical health – helping to maintain a healthy weight and reduce risk for diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease – but for their mental health as well.
“Kids who are more physically active have been shown to have better self-esteem; less stress, anxiety and depression; and improved cognitive and academic outcomes.
“Physical activity is not just sport and physical education at school, but includes other activities like walking (for example, to school, or on a family outing) and active play.
“Research consistently shows that children who spend more time outdoors are more physically active, so whenever possible, encourage kids to be out rather than in.
“The evidence also shows that children who are more active when they are young stay active through childhood and into adolescence, and often into adulthood as well. So it is important to get kids active early, so they can enjoy the benefits later in life as well,” said Draper.
Clearly it’s time for you and your kids to put on your takkies, get outdoors and get training. As you can see below, the training programme kicks off on Monday September 19 and is also available on www.ssisa.com.
Both running and walking programmes are provided and for the techno-junkies using pedometers and apps, we have included step counts you need to reach over and above your general day to day activities.
With ADT and Woolworths providing over R30 000 worth of prize money for schools with the highest percentage of pupils finishing the 6km run/walk in the ADT/Woolworths School Mass Participation Competition – make sure you are all signed up.
Visit https://www.ssisa.com/project/2016-move-health/ for all the details.
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