Physical activity behaviour

The previously discussed surveys prove that physical activities support teenagers’ and children’s healthy life style as well as their attitude towards their health. Despite the fact that physical activities and sports considerably support our health only few children and teenagers are committed to sports. The outcomes of HBSC gained in 2010 only 20 % of the Hungarian pupils and students do exercises the way it is suggested² (Halmai and Németh, 2011b). At the same time they spend most of their time in front of their computer, TV and mobile phones etc. Both the data of HBSC, 2010, and the national Media analysis, 2000-2010, children spend five hours daily watching and playing with these gadgets. Schools have reported that a vast majority of school children (17, 28%) do not attend PE classes and one fifth is simply released from physical education (A report about 2010/2011 school-health work, 2012). The Hungarian Institute for Sports Medicine reported that almost 180 000 teenagers were examined in sports medicine clinic, this number is not identical with athletes who appear at the sports medical stations.

To become healthy adults at least 60 minute long physical activities with moderate intensity are needed. The collected data prove that children and teenagers do not do sports regularly to be able maintain their health. Therefore the importance of PE at schools as well as outdoor activities has increased.  The importance of PE is detailed by Rita Mikulás’ report (2014) entitled, The impact of PE classes on health³. In the following chapters it is intended to look at and discuss the importance and effects of competitive sports in more depth.