We’ve
all heard it before, “Personal recreational activities involves those actions
that relax, refresh, and rejuvenate us” - yet how much do we truly gain
from these activities? Recreation is a healthy part of each individual’s
own life and can be enjoyed by everyone. The benefits of recreation are
not only positive to the community of today, but much more for generations
to come whence the challenges in life get more complex.
Promoting Physical Activity Through Parks and Recreation
The Malaysian Ministry of Health has given due emphasis on the health of
the individual and ultimately the community at large. The objectives of
its health plans give priorities to reducing coronary heart disease and
obesity, increasing moderate and vigorous physical activity, reducing leisure-time
physical inactivity, and increasing physical activities that maintain muscular
strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.
Parks and Recreation programs can be a driving force when it comes to promoting
these health and fitness benefits through physical activity. At a time when
schools are reducing or eliminating physical education programs, an opportunity
clearly exists for recreational organizations to fill this void. Also, we
live in a highlytechnological society which tends to discourage the need
to be physically active. However, recreation departments can take advantage
of these two problematic areas by providing programs that are fun and emphasize
pleasure and participation.
Recreational physical activity can be social outlets for people, can provide
emotional support, create a sense of belonging, and a comfortable atmosphere
to release creative physical expression without fear of intimidation or
failure.
The key to a successful program is to eliminate any barriers that keep children
and young adults from participating. Teens and young children like to have
fun, socialize with friends, and learn new skills. All these important elements
can be attained through a quality, structured recreation program that is
affordable and easily assessable. Children and young adolescents from different
racial and ethnic backgrounds also need programs that will help them break
through language, cultural, and religious barriers. Recreation activity
providers must rise above traditional efforts, such as offering sports leagues,
swim teams, and drop-in gym hours and utilize
other resources in creating and planning activities to meet the needs of
a diverse population. Recreational sports and games are different from formal
organized sports. There are no specialized formal rules or specific behavioral
regulations and do not require the acquisition of complex skills. This is
important in terms of ttracting youth and teens and keeping them involved
in physical activity. Unlike “performance” sports, which place greater emphasis
on progressive skill development, making sacrifices, dominating opponents,
and risking ones well-being for the sake of winning, pleasure and participation
sports emphasize enjoyment, growth and
relaxation. |
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