Technology can be used to reverse Health

  Raof Ahmad Bhat                                                                        Research Scholar, AMU, Aligarh

Mechanisation and computerization of work along with rapid and extensive urbanisation have contributed to the sedentary lifestyle of many young people. Technology based hobbies have become so deep rooted in the lifestyles of today’s youth that they hardly found time to do at least daily recommended physical activity. Strong evidence shows that sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As per the reports of WHO, obesity among children between the ages of 2 and 19 has doubled in recent years, leaving them susceptible to the development of Diabetes and a host to other serious health concerns.

NCDs are leading cause of deaths replacing communicable diseases as the leading cause of death in the world. An estimated 38 million people die due to these deadly diseases every year- 70% of all deaths globally – with 80% in low and middle-income countries. NCDs are related to the interaction of various genetic, environmental and especially lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. Epidemics of NCDs are currently accelerating in developing countries and India is not exempted from it. Though India has substantially succeeded in controlling communicable diseases which significantly contributed to the disease burden of the country, but there is a gradual shift to, and rise in the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases. Nowhere is the epidemic of NCDs more pronounced than in India as NCDs accounts for 60% of deaths in the country (World Health Organization, 2016). Every year, roughly 5.87 million people in India die from heart and lung diseases, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, in other words, one in four Indians risks dying from NCDs before they reach the age of 70 years. In India, based on the available evidence two-thirds of Indian adolescents are physically inactive. WHO reported that physical activity -a protective factor is less than the recommended levels in Indian society?

Although, advancement in technology has somewhat, contributed to the sedentary behaviour of young people. It can also be harnessed to reverse these problems. With instant access to almost anything at any given time, technology can be used to improve fitness among youth. It’s just a question of how it is used. Time has come we physical educators should take it upon over selves to drastically reduce these statistics over the course of next few years. The question is how today’s physical educators create a feasible work environment for the classes. Here are some technology-based solutions that can help to improve physical fitness and fight the current health concerns.

wellness

Use of Wellness Tracking Technology.

A way physical fitness educators can make physical activity more interactive is by using fitness monitors like Nuband, Fitbit, Samsung Gear Fit 2, Jawbone UP3 and many others in their physical education programs during and after class activities. These gadgets will help to motivate and promote activity levels by tracking all day activity, exercise, sleep and weight. These lightweight wearable gadgets provide a range of real-time data. Wellness tracking technology can be helpful to trainers as well as to students as one becomes aware of their body processes or learn to achieve maximum physical fitness. These wearable tools record step counts, quality of sleep cycles and a wide range of activity goals to ensure that children stay physically active throughout their developmental years. WHO recommends that children should remain moderately – vigorously active for at least 60 minutes a day to meet proper health standards? Modern Wellness tracking technology can help make sure that students reach this simple but most important goal during as well as after school hours.

dance and musi

Music and Dance as a Motivational tool.

What physical education teachers wouldn’t want smiling, dancing students?

When it comes to music, there is no best workout as aerobics. With advancement in technology new dancing games like Konami Dance Pads,  Korean series-Pump It Up and much more give physical educators a platform to develop new teaching methods based on viral dance crazies that will go far in improving physical activity levels among young youth. Apart from this, learning choreography together creates a sense of mutual trust and friendship and at the same time provides a great workout. This will help the students to reduce stress levels, improve coordination and strengthen social bonds.

Active Gaming Programs.

Active gaming platforms combine the use of technology in the form of a game with physical activity. Thanks to technology for Exergames, Interactive Fitness Activities and Active Learning Games, which provide the users comfortable and feasible environment and at the same time an opportunity for moderate intensity physical activity

Physical education teachers in schools play a crucial role by establishing a safe and supportive environment for physically active culture. It is also the duty of a PE teacher to utilise every outlet available to them to enhance the health of their school children. The key to success in achieving the physically active youth is to utilise what young people love the most – and most often that is the advancement in technology. By developing interactive, cooperative and pleasurable lessons with activity tracking, music, dance and active gaming, physical educators can improve student wellness practices not only in schools but in decades to follow.