The benefits of sport - experience the difference !

At Scorpion Sports, we take our sport very seriously but have a LOT of fun along the way! We asked one of our Directors, an eminent North West Doctor, why HE thought Sport was so important and whether it should play a role in today's computer driven world! Why should we play sport?
 
Dr. Sohail Munshi MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP
 
As a NHS Doctor and sports fanatic, I understand only too well the benefits of sport. At Scorpion Sports we encourage all parents, guardians, teachers and coaches to do everything possible to 'sting' children (and adults!) into action. From a healthy body springs a healthy mind. In the 21st century we are facing an epidemic of obesity and related diseases. Contrast this with the benefits of social skills and teamwork, the physiological advantages of exercise and the psychological gains of achievement, participation and competition! So what are you waiting for??
 
To help you along your way I've collected some useful advice on the areas of motivation, nutrition, exercise and fun!
 

Motivation and coaching

Remember - you don't need to be Ferguson or Mourinho, most children love sport so the key is to nurture and foster enthusiasm.

 So the principles are:
1.    Praise your child and share their fun.
2.    'Positive feedback'. This means FIRST praise them, THEN say what they might do differently (not what was 'wrong') and THEN a few simple but specific tasks to IMPROVE still further. A common feature of top sportsmen and women is that they LOVE their sport. A superb striker loves shooting practice and knows that practice makes perfect.
3.    Keep it simple and let children express themselves. Pair them up if there's a big group.
 

Nutrition

This section is divided into:
1.    General.
2.    'Match day' snacks and foods.
 

General

The basics are a balanced, wide diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as oily fish. In particular:
1.    Active individuals and / or children need carbohydrates eg pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals.
2.    FIVE portions of fruit a day - this could include fruit juices and / or vegetables.
3.    Dairy for children with growing bones - milk, cheese / yoghurts.
4.    Meat and fish - aim for at least 1 or 3 portions of oily fish a week. Children need red meats as well.
 

Match day

Healthy, energy boosting snacks and clear fluids are essential before any exercise. Popular examples include:
1.    Breakfast cereals and milk or cereal bars.
2.    Fresh fruit or fruit smoothies
And at half time or after the game:
1.    Fruit - especially bananas and oranges.
2.    Jam on toast / toasted crumpets / jaffa cakes kind of snack.
3.    'Isotonic' fluids or any clear fluid (water is cheap!).
 

Exercise

Remember that children with healthy, active mums and dads as role models are likely to emulate them. Try to exercise and / or play together - there are multitudes of school activities, local league clubs or sports centres - and for me, my back garden was always Wembley in my mind as a child. In summer, move the jumpers (goalposts!) and transform it to Lords!
 
Some specific points are:
1.    Warm up and cool down - gentle activity, then brisk walking, jogging and relevant stretches before and after sport are important and good habits to get into.
2.    Children can exercise daily. Adults should also aim for a minimum of 30 minutes exercise three times weekly according to the British Heart Foundation.
 

Fun

I make no apologies for returning to this theme. Make sure you enjoy your sport whatever discipline it is and whatever skills level you are at.
 
Now get out there... and experience the difference !

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