The day of the world for physical activity is celebrated worldwide on April 6 of each year, stressing the importance of remaining active thanks to sport and physical form daily. The physical form is a key aspect of the mission of the special Olympic Games. The special Olympic Games encourage athletes and their communities to engage in fitness activities all year round to promote optimal health and sports performances.
The data collected from a survey on the satisfaction of the 2018 Olympic Olympic Games have shown that 58% of the Olympic special athletes said that they had joined the special Olympic Games “to stay in shape and healthy”. Stay active not only improves sport performance, but prevents and manages non-transmitted diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and improves overall well-being.
A way in which special Olympic Games promote healthy lifestyles Health messengers. Health messengers are special Olympic athletes who are trained to serve as health and well-being heads in their communities by directing education and fitness activities and empowering athletes to defend the health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Since 2016, more than 5,000 athletes have been trained to serve leaders and defenders of their communities.
This World Day for Physical Activity, the special Olympic Games highlight four health messengers for their leadership by inspiring athletes and community members to remain active all year round.
Below, meet four health messengers who move their communities.
José Miguel Ramírez González – Colombia of special Olympic Games
The health messenger José Miguel Ramírez González is a dedicated swimmer and a leader in his community. José believes in the power of physical form and always encourages athletes to push themselves. It has a natural capacity to inspire those around it, which gives an example and showing how commitment in a healthy lifestyle has lasting impacts.
José understands that staying motivated is the key to inspiring others and sharing: “We motion every day to improve our physical activity objectives. For example, if I ran 5 kilometers yesterday, my goal for the next day is to increase the distance I ran. This will certainly have a beneficial effect on our health and well-being. ”
Understanding that the physical form can benefit its general well-being, Jose adds: “Being physically active makes me happy and healthy. It improves my mood, increases my confidence and my esteem from me, and makes me comfortable with my physical appearance. Staying physically active active improves my muscle strength and helps me to increase my endurance in the pool. “
José’s influence extends beyond the pool with his positive state of mind and his dedication to creating healthy lifestyles in his community.
Joe MacNamara – Ireland of special Olympic Games
The messenger of health Joe MacNamara has made his goal of educating athletes and community members on nutrition and physical form. Joe shares his knowledge of food groups and portions to help athletes stay in shape and strong. In addition to his passion for teaching others, Joe is also dedicated to promoting physical activity all year round in his community. Recently, Joe directed a four -month weekly fitness program for his swimming teammates, encouraging them to remain active outside the pool.
Joe underlines that staying active is beneficial for everyone, encouraging not only his teammates to remain active, but also to families and other members of the community. He shares: “It is good to get fresh air and walking is good for health and well-being and stay in shape. If you walk with Team South Galway, you can also bring your dog. It is good for family members of the local community to walk for their health and to be active is good for your physical and mental well-being. ”
Stressing that the physical form benefits more than sporting performance, Joe explains: “Physical activity can help change the chemicals of our brain, which can lead to a change in positive mood. There is evidence suggesting that exercise can cause a feeling of self -esteem, self -control and the ability to take up a challenge. ”
For Joe, fitness means improving your general well-being, both physically and mentally. Joe plans to continue directing the exercise program in the future.
Urimondjira Ruzo – Special Olympics Namibia
A health messenger, assistant sports coach, fitness captain, and a youth leader, Urimondjira Ruzo is a person focused on the community. He is a double sport athlete, playing on the ground and football, and leads fitness sessions in his community. Urimondjira is always looking for means to have a positive impact. As a special Olympic Games ashlete, he knows that sports and physical form have a unique way of connecting people.
Urimondjira has thought about the social aspect of sharing physical condition: “Physical activity keeps me healthy and makes me make friends.” As an athlete, he understands first of all how to be part of a community not only links people, but promotes general well-being.
Understanding the positive impact that sports and physical form provide, Urimondjira shares: “My hope for others on this world day for physical activity is that more people are starting to move and stay active and enjoy it.”
Armando rented – Porto Rico Special
Armando Renta, messenger of health and athlete chief is an experienced swimmer and an inspiring leader. He is deputy coach for his local swimming program, breaking the barriers of the municipality of Ponce, and is responsible for teaching children and young adults in swimming and fitness.
Armando understands that the impact of the physical form can have both inside and outside the pool. He thought about the importance of motivating each other to remain active, to share: “I like to encourage and motivate these children and young people to do physical activities because it is essential to maintain good health.”
For Armando, it is important to encourage others to take care of their own health, adding: “Physical activity is important for everyone. For my athletes in the Breaking Barriers program, swimming is a very attractive activity. It is a well -balanced sport. They find it fun and at the same time, I manage to help them live a healthier and more productive life through physical activity. ”
By working with community members and athletes, Armando motivates athletes and members of the community to live a healthier life thanks to his love of swimming.
The messengers of health remind us of the importance of remaining coherent and of remaining active all year round, and how it can promote the general well-being of athletes, families and members of the community.
The special Olympic Games and the American Council on Exercise launched a free online course of six modules designed for people with and without IDD. The course offers examples of the real world, in particular Olympic special athletes, interactive learning modules and post-cours resources to help individuals acquire confidence and skills to inspire communities to be more active, just like these four health messengers. Follow the free course Become a leader in community physical activity and inspire communities to remain active.