The news that most young people aren't getting enough exercise just doesn't seem to shock any more.
Statistically, one in three young Australians aged nine to 16 fail to meet the national guidelines for physical activity, which is – an hour of vigorous exercise and no more than two hours of screen time a day.
And yet, studies suggest more and more young people are taking up a sedentary lifestyle as Generation Y is tipped to become the first generation not to outlive its parents.
But getting young people involved in sport has more than just health benefits.
Frequent exercise can improve your mind, reduce depression, encourage self-confidence and, when performed with others, create new friendships and a sense of community.
Healthy body, healthy mind
It’s a well known fact that regular physical activity can help you live longer.
Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and injury – take your pick, every one of these illnesses may be prevented with regular physical activity.
Numerous international studies have even found adults who increase their physical activity can reduce their risk of developing colon cancer by 30 to 40 per cent.
But for young people, the greatest benefits often have nothing to do with their waistlines.
The University of Western Australia's Dr Karen Martin recently released a report tabling the relationship between sport and school performance.
The findings showed primary school children could comprehend better after just 20 minutes walking on the treadmill, while cognitive function improved among students who exercised more across all age groups.
If that's not enough to get you up and active, there's also evidence physical activity can prevent depression and anxiety, the most common mental health problems affecting young Australians. It is also good for reducing stress. Not to mention the positive effects sport can have on your self-esteem.
Get out there and participate
Sometimes, it's not lack of physical activity that prevents young people from taking up a sport.
In Australia, 38 per cent of children aged between five and 14 don't participate in any sport organised by a school, club or association.
For many, monetary issues, family responsibilities, accessibility, cultural and social pressures or lack of confidence act as barriers.
For the next three years, VicHealth has committed almost $10 million to 30 Victorian sports as part of their State Sporting Association Participation Program (SSAPP).
An Australian-first, the program aims to increase participation, especially among young people, by creating safer, more open sporting environments.
“Sport is a universal language that can bring people together, no matter what their religious belief, gender, colour of their skin or how much money they earn,” says VicHealth's manager of physical activity Cameron McLeod.
“That’s why VicHealth is helping sporting organisations around the state to identify new leaders and role models, create policies, plan for the provision of accessible facilities and establish strong partnerships to create environments that are more inclusive and equitable.”
Already the SSAPP program has helped fund some great local initiatives. At Football Federation Victoria, young people aged 12 or under can play games that focus on enjoyment and freedom of expression rather than coaching and results.
While at Calisthenics Victoria, staff have joined forces with Access All Abilities providers and special development schools to make their clubs more inclusive for young people with disabilities.
“Participating in sport should be fun. At the same time, there are so many other wonderful benefits to joining a local sporting club including health and social outcomes, as well as the chance to learn valuable life skills,” Mr McLeod says.
In 2012, VicHealth's participation program will get an extra boost from the pilot initiative Everyone Wins! The initiative will provide clubs with a framework of actions, tools and resources to reflect best practice in all areas of sport.
Doing it for the girls
Unfortunately, girls are less likely to participate in organised sport than boys across all age groups.
While many factors contribute to these low participation rates, the most common are social stereotyping, lack of role models and poor self image. Young women from non-English speaking backgrounds find it especially difficult to join a sport team.
Catherine, 23, and Lisa Aliotta, 21, come from a strict Italian family, where they say sport was only available to the boys.
“It sounds so cliché, but me and my sister were expected to want to cook and help our mum out in garden, while our brothers got to play soccer,” Catherine says.
At first, Catherine says she was okay with not playing organised sport.
“None of the girls in my family have ever been part of a sporting team, and so I never really considered it for myself. I was way too embarrassed to join a club on my own anyway.”
Then on her way home one night, Catherine saw a flyer for an indoor soccer team and decided to sign up with her sister Lisa.
Their team is part of Indoor Sports Victoria, one of the organisations currently involved in the VicHealth State Sport Association Participation Program.
Since 2001, Indoor Sports Victoria has been working with VicHealth to encourage participation through trial days and increased access to sport at all levels.
“Our team is a mixed team. We play as a form of physical activity, but also socially for fun,” Lisa says.
“It's been a fantastic experience. At first, I was a bit nervous and did wonder what people might think of me, but we love playing just as much as the boys do. Although, the boys do tend to get a little overly competitive!”
To get involved in organised sport contact your local club, the State Sporting Association or your city council.
To find out more about how VicHealth is working to make sports more inclusive, visit:
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/en/Programs-and-Projects/Physical-Activity/Physical-activity-programs.aspx