Why should children and adolescents learn basic motor skills?

Why should children and adolescents learn basic motor skills?

Children and adolescents who have a good grasp of basic motor skills exhibit strong motor learning abilities, resulting in smoother and more graceful movements, thereby allowing them to enjoy the pleasure of physical exercise to the fullest. The best period for learning basic motor skills is during childhood and adolescence. Mastering these skills at this stage lays a solid foundation for participating in a wide range of sports and maintaining regular physical exercise in the future.

What do we usually mean by "physical fitness"?

Physical fitness refers to the overall ability of the human body to perform various activities, including strength, speed, endurance, agility, flexibility, and balance. It is the combined capabilities individuals accumulate to meet their daily life or physical activity needs. Good physical fitness not only reflects overall health but also serves as a basis for acquiring sports skills and helps sustain physical exercise behavior, thus further promoting health and creating a positive feedback loop.

Does regular participation in physical exercise affect academic performance?

No, it does not. The traditional belief that physical exercise hinders academic performance has been disproven by extensive research. Studies show that students with better physical fitness exhibit higher reading and logical abilities compared to those with lower physical fitness. The statistics from the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the United States demonstrate that student-athletes have higher graduation rates than ordinary students. Research also indicates that after continuous brain activity for 2 hours, passive rest requires at least 20 minutes to alleviate fatigue, while active exercise only takes 5 minutes to do so. This indicates that physical exercise indeed helps to alleviate the brain's tension, thereby improving learning efficiency.

If one's physical condition is excellent, does that mean they don't need to participate in physical exercise?

No, it doesn't. Having excellent physical condition now does not guarantee that it will always be so in the future. It is estimated that globally, lack of physical exercise leads to a mortality rate of 6% annually, ranking just below hypertension (13%) and smoking (9%). Lack of physical exercise can lead to a decline in one's physical fitness, indirectly promoting the development of chronic diseases. This not only shortens life expectancy but also significantly reduces the quality of life and overall happiness. Engaging in regular physical exercise not only enhances physical fitness, improves cardiovascular function, promotes healthy bone and muscle development, and prevents cardiovascular diseases but also helps alleviate life stress and enhances mental health. It can be described as a win-win situation.

If physical education classes are held every day, is there no need for additional physical exercise?

No, that's not the case. School physical education classes are an important part of children and adolescents' physical exercise, but they are not the only part. During physical education classes, students not only engage in physical exercise but also learn sports skills and undergo various physical fitness tests. However, the actual time and intensity of exercise during these classes may not be sufficient to meet the requirements for healthy growth. Additionally, during adolescence, students' development rates vary, making it challenging for teachers to provide personalized and precise guidance in large physical education classes. It is also difficult to guarantee the quantity and quality of physical education class time. These issues need to be addressed through extracurricular physical exercise.