Latest news with #PhysicalActivity
The Star
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Kidslympic run gets ministry's stamp of approval
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kidslympic Malaysia Run Kuala Lumpur has reached a significant milestone after it gained official recognition from the Education Ministry. The successful run on June 22 saw participation from over 1,000 children along with their families. In a statement, Kidslympic Malaysia said that with this recognition, all students who took part in the event are eligible to receive co-curricular marks under the Physical Activity, Sports and Co-curriculum Assessment (PAJSK) system, a standardised assessment implemented across all primary and secondary schools. In a letter dated July 7 addressed to the organisers of Kidslympic Malaysia, the ministry confirmed that participants of the run are eligible for co-curricular marks under two main categories – participation (national level) and achievement (national level). 'The purpose of PAJSK is to ensure fair and consistent evaluation of student involvement in non-academic activities, which are important for holistic development and university admissions. 'It contributes 10 per cent of merit points for admission to public universities in Malaysia and supports applications to elite fully residential schools,' the statement read. Kidslympic Malaysia co-founder Wong Kang Woon, in the same statement, said the ministry's recognition strengthens the event's initiative as more than just a sports programme, positioning it as a national-level platform that supports the holistic development of children by fostering health, discipline, team spirit and patriotism among the younger generation.
New York Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
More Ball Games: Can changing prohibitive signs help make the UK more active?
Dotted around London are signs, thousands of them — and there is no mistaking the message, each word often starting with a capital letter as if to emphasise the point: No Ball Games. Are the messages anti-sport? The aim, at least, is to curtail play. But the eagle-eyed in the English capital will have recently noticed slight editing to some signs, a change from 'no' to 'more' and basketball hoops added underneath the now encouraging words: More Ball Games. Advertisement Behind this campaign is London Sport, a charity that is calling on policymakers in the United Kingdom to remove the 'No Ball Games' signs, to reimagine public spaces and discuss solutions that can help remove systemic barriers. Over half of London's young adults and children aren't meeting recommended activity levels, according to public body Sport England's 'Active Lives' 2023-2024 report. But this isn't just a London problem. UK Parliament statistics show that obesity levels increased from 15 per cent in 1993 to 29 per cent in 2022 in the UK. Over a quarter (28.6 per cent) of children aged two to 15 were overweight or obese in 2022-2023, with children growing up in deprived areas more likely to be obese. 'We've been speaking to different organisations about really low-cost ideas because, ideally, we would have lots more parks, sports facilities, and youth clubs for children and young people,' Emily Robinson, London Sport CEO, told The Athletic. 'But we know that money's tight, and if you want to get kids active, the easiest thing is to get them out on their doorstep, right where they are.' London Sport says more than 560,000 Londoners are put off by the No Ball Games signs, and each sign removed could make up to 80 children more active. No Ball Games signs first appeared across the UK in the 1970s, stemming from resident complaints, and are most commonly found on local authority housing estates. In 2015, the Denis Law Legacy Trust, named after the former Manchester United and Scotland great, worked with the city council to remove hundreds of signs in the former footballer's hometown of Aberdeen, Scotland. There is no system to check whether the signs are suitable or review to see if they should be taken down, London Sport says. Installed by those who own or manage the properties, including local authorities and private landlords, the signs are not legally enforceable. In south London, at the Mursell Estate in Lambeth, a sign has been amended and a hoop installed. This is where players from top-flight Super League Basketball (SLB) team London Lions filmed social media content to boost the profile of the campaign. It was shorts and T-shirt weather when The Athletic visited the estate, which consists of hundreds of flats and is situated between the busy areas of Brixton and Vauxhall. The Kia Oval, the 27,000-capacity cricket ground a 15-minute walk away, is sporting luxury compared to the estate's makeshift hoop. Advertisement No players are spotted on this midweek lunchtime. The only movement of the basketball net comes from the light breeze. Those walking through the passageway that the hoop sits on top of were using a different kind of basket as they headed to the Tesco Express on the nearby Clapham Road. Many told The Athletic they like the hoop, but said the location isn't a practical long-term solution, given the noise and vicinity to flats — even with a net attached to the stairway above to catch any inaccurate shots. A resident who did not want to be named told The Athletic: 'They should put it somewhere else. They are not experts, they are hitting the wall with every other shot. Pound, pound, pound. They came down here to do some filming, and they should have taken it with them.' Others suggested that an area to play helps give parents peace of mind that their children are close by, safe, and not driven to cause trouble because of boredom. Resident Tania Nunes, 30, said she had to take her children elsewhere to play. 'They need to improve the play area,' she said. 'I have two kids with autism, ages nine and 11, and they have nothing to do.' Market research and insight agency Opinium surveyed 4,000 adults, including 500 from London, on removing No Ball Game signs. Nearly half (40 per cent) of those from London were in favour of removing them, and 31 per cent opposed it. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, told The Athletic that he supported initiatives to remove No Ball Games signs 'where possible'. 'While he recognises that sign removal isn't always possible, the Mayor believes that all young Londoners should have access to spaces and places where they can participate in sport and physical activity.' Sport and physical activity on any level can improve people's cardiovascular health, cognitive function, social skills and mental health. So, what are the long-term solutions? 'When we're building houses and developments, we must make sure from the outset that there are places for children and teenagers to play and be physically active,' says Robinson. Advertisement 'It's not just a case of putting up a little playground that only works for little kids. But also, how do we build and design areas that young people of all ages can play, exercise, and play games? And also, how do we strengthen opportunities for children at school?' As part of the ongoing More Ball Games campaign, London Sport have amended signs in Lambeth and another south London borough, Lewisham. Since 2015, they have removed 130 signs in the north London borough of Haringey, in partnership with the local authority. Some people may disapprove of the removal of No Ball Games signs but charities and organisations such as London Sport hope that by raising awareness, they can help young people of all backgrounds be active.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Switch squats for these 4 lunges variations to build a stronger core and impressive lower body strength
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. You're likely familiar with a classic lunge — a lower body exercise that challenges every muscle in the legs and glutes. But, are you taking full advantage of this fundamental move? Rather than just doing forward lunges, several other varieties of lunges will target the lower body, with some focusing more heavily on certain muscles over others. As a personal trainer, I not only include lunge variations into my workouts, but I also make sure the people I'm training do them too. Where do I begin? The lunge is a unilateral move, which means one leg is being worked at a time. Lunges really help to work your balance and stability, which is essential for everyday life, not just in the gym. It's not uncommon to find that the balance on one side of your body is better than the other, and there's no better move than a lunge to help you discover this! Knowing which side is more balanced can encourage you to do the work to correct this. Research in the journal Physical Activity and Nutrition found that lunges helped improve muscle function and balance in middle-aged women. If you are looking to work on your balance, lunges completed on an unstable support surface, such as a Bosu ball, balance board, or even a pillow, for example, were more effective at improving balance. Lunges are also great at helping to build strength in the leg muscles, including your quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. They are a compound exercise, which means they work multiple muscles and joints in one go. Some lunges variations will target your glutes a little more than others, which is what we'll get into later. Adding resistance to lunges is the best way to build muscle, and if you're hoping to 'tone up,' then you do need to build muscle while burning the fat that lies on top of the muscle. Your core will also be working hard during lunges to help maintain your balance. While core-specific workouts are great, I do always remind people that you can work your core during other exercises too, including lunges. Working your core also helps to improve your posture and overall balance. Not sure how to lunge? It's best to nail a basic forward lunge before learning the other variations. Start standing tall with your feet hip-width apart. Take a big step forward with your left foot and then bend both knees until they're both at 90 90-degree angle. Your back knee should just tap the floor, and your front knee should be stacked above your foot. Don't let your front knee go past your toes. Then, push up through your front heel to come back to standing. Aim for 10 forward lunges on each leg. Now you know how to lunge, give the below lunges a try. All of them can be done using just your bodyweight, dumbbells, or a barbell. To warm up and prepare your body for the move, I recommend doing a set of 10 bodyweight exercises. Then, add resistance to challenge your muscles further, which will help them grow and get stronger. These tend to be kinder on the knees, so you might find that you can, and they're great at targeting your glutes and hamstrings, on the back of your legs. Aim for 10 to 12 reps on each leg: Start standing tall, feet hip-width apart. If you're holding dumbbells, hold one in each hand, arms down by your side. Step one leg back, then bend both knees so your back knee just touches the floor and your front knee is stacked over your ankle or foot. Keep your chest upright, then push up through your front heel to stand upright. If you want to get into a deeper reverse lunge, try placing your front foot on a step. An ideal lunge for your glutes and inner thighs, this will also test your balance a little more than usual. Aim for 10 to 12 reps on each leg. Stand tall, then step your right leg diagonally behind your left leg, almost as if you were taking a bow Bend both your knees, dropping into a lunge. Make sure your front knee stays aligned over your foot and keep your chest upright. Push back up through your front foot to return to standing. These are a variation of forward lunges, but as you're moving forward, walking lunges add a conditioning element to your workout. Making them wider targets your glutes a little bit more. To remove the glute focus, avoid stepping out wide to the side. Aim for 10 to 12 reps on each leg. Stand tall, making sure you have space ahead of you. Step your right foot forward and out to the side a bit wider than hip-width. Lower into a lunge with your front knee over your ankle and back knee lowered at a 90-degree angle. Push through your front heel to bring your back foot forward and out wide again. Keep repeating, alternating legs as you move forward, until you've hit your rep count. Keep your chest upright throughout. These are static lunges, in that they're still and simply require you to drop up and down. Aim for 10 to 12 reps on each leg. Stand tall with your left foot in front of your right. Your stance should be fairly wide. Staying in this stance, bend both knees until they're both at 90-degree angles. Your front knee shouldn't go past your toes — if it does, simply adjust your stance. Then push up through your front heel to come back to stand before going again. Forget planks — this dumbbell workout tones and strengthens core muscle in just 15 minutes Goodbye sit-ups! This 10-minute workout will help you build a stronger core and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles All you need is 5 minutes to build core strength and stability, according to a certified Pilates instructor
Daily Express
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Young Kota Kinabalu gymnasts strut their stuff
Published on: Friday, April 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Apr 25, 2025 By: Jozie John Text Size: The young gymnasts who showcased their skills at the meet. Kota Kinabalu: The energetic movements of 68 young gymnasts took centre stage at the 2025 Kota Kinabalu District School Sports Council (MSSD) Artistic Gymnastics Championship, held at the Likas Sports Complex. The event highlighted the remarkable potential of the district's junior athletes. Over two action-packed days, the Gymnastics Hall was filled with cheers and a strong sense of camaraderie as gymnasts from 23 schools competed passionately for a coveted spot in the Sabah School Sports Council (MSSS) championship. Organised by Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Stella Maris, the tournament, which took place on April 21-22, was divided into four categories: Boys Under-12, Boys Under-15, Girls Under-12 and Girls Under-15. The events contested included Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise, Vault, Pommel Horse and Parallel Bars. In his opening remarks, SK Stella Maris headmaster James Johnny expressed gratitude to all those involved in ensuring the success of the event, including teachers, coaches, judges, and parents. 'This year's MSSD tournament was incredibly intense. Every gymnast gave their best performance, and it's clear that there is immense potential among the young athletes in Kota Kinabalu,' he said. A total of 24 gymnasts were selected to represent the district at the (MSSS) championship next month. Additionally, 12 gymnasts from the Under-18 category have automatically qualified for the MSSS competition. James also highlighted the importance of consistent training and the vital role of coaches in shaping athletes who are not only skilled but also disciplined and focused on improving their performance. 'The results we see today are the fruit of continuous training, dedication, and the careful selection of athletes by our coaches. Parental support also plays a key role in the development of these young athletes,' he said. The tournament adhered to the regulations set by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF), and the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM). James said that the main aim of the tournament was to identify young talent and spark interest in gymnastics at the school level. 'By participating in this tournament, students not only develop their athletic abilities but also contribute to their Physical Activity, Sports, and Co-Curricular Assessment (PAJSK) scores. Most importantly, it fosters a spirit of sportsmanship among the students,' he added. The event was officiated by the Kota Kinabalu district deputy education officer (student development sector), Bunsu Gaga, who commended the dedication and enthusiasm shown by both the participants and organisers. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
