International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2021: Active against COVID-19

April 6 marks World Day of Sport for Development and Peace, a United Nations initiative that focuses on sport as a tool not only to improve people’s quality of life physically and mentally, but also as a way to promote economic and social development.

Sport is one of the most international activities there is, and is able to unite people regardless of their socioeconomic status, gender, religion, or any other factor that could cause division. Historically, it has played a fundamental role, which is why the United Nations decided at the General Assembly held on August 23, 2013, to dedicate this day to sport, giving it the importance it has and has had for the whole world.

This year, one of the main themes of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is precisely an issue that has marked an entire generation and that we are still facing: the irruption of the coronavirus in our lives.

Don’t let COVID-19 stop you

COVID-19 has paralyzed almost every country in the world, making it difficult in many cases to practice physical activity in the way we were used to. Mobility restrictions, closed sports centers, empty playgrounds, limitations to meet with people…. All this has meant that sport, an activity that has a strong social component, has been affected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uz2sOmLF0U&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=NacionesUnidas

The United Nations is aware of this fact, and has placed special emphasis on the benefits of staying active even during the toughest stages of the pandemic. Being confined, or seeing our mobility reduced, should not be a reason to stop doing sport.

The social component of sport, in the face of these limitations, has managed to gain a foothold through social networks, remote communication tools, and other ways of staying connected with colleagues, friends and family. Today it is more important than ever to stay active, because isolation and restrictions can cause us to lose the motivation and good habits we have been acquiring with respect to physical activity.

The WHO recommendations in this regard are clear (as long as our physical condition allows us to do so, or we do not aggravate any previous injury or condition):

For children between the ages of 5 and 17: 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day is recommended. It is best to do aerobic activity and several days a week also activities that help strengthen muscles and bones. At these ages it is easy to meet these minimums because of after-school activities, hours of physical preparation at school, or the practice of some sports as a form of leisure.

Adults between 18 and 64 years of age: 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, or half that if they are of high intensity. Sessions of more than 10 minutes to have a positive impact, and a couple of times a week to perform activities that help strengthen muscles and bones.

People over 65 years of age: At least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or half that if it is of higher intensity. From 10 minutes per session onwards, and always adapting to the possibilities of each person depending on their condition.

In addition to the many physical benefits of sport, exercising also helps us to improve our mood, makes us more active and vital, and helps us to rest better. It’s all benefits!

Even in people suffering from chronic pain, physical activity is a good tool to mitigate the sensation of pain and improve physical function and quality of life. Always supervised by a pain professional, of course, and in a way that complements treatment.

At Instituto Aliaga we know that the best way to treat pain is through a holistic and multidisciplinary approach that takes into account both the physical and psychological aspects of pain. If you have any doubts you can contact us, or make an appointment by calling us at +34 935 952 910.