Gym not for kids

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CHILDREN are at their happiest when playing hopscotch, tag or any other game but with pressure coming from parents, guardians and society at large for them to identify their sporting talents at an early age, exercise and the gym have brought a new dimension.

The question that worries most is: Is the gym a place for children? Okay, let us put it this way, should children be worried about developing their calf muscles or a�?six packa��?

Well, according to Austin Jean a respected sports medicine physician children need the outdoor experience to keep fit and not the gym where they will be forced to pump weights.

a�?The gym is not a place for children and young athletes but at the same time they also need to train,a�? he said during a presentation to sports journalists and sports administrators.

Ita��s scientifically proven that many budding sports persons who train hard from an early age suffer later with their legs. Too much exercise can make children ill and their immune systems suffer.

But the importance of exercise in children is not in doubt. Globally therea��s been an increase in the number of overweight kids, as such to stay healthy with bodies in check, exercise beyond Physical Education (PE) at school is a must.

Jean and his team from the Rolf Valley Center for Sports Medicine might have an answer for that through a physical training system that has of now been going through a trial run in some of the countrya��s private schools.

a�?We have designed a structure called the Avatar that allows kids to use their body weight for training,a�? Jean said.
The Avatar costs $2 850 to install.

But schools outside Harare will fork out more with transport charges added to the cost.

a�?Modern sports science recommends the use of body weight to develop strength, power and balance. The use of the Avatar enhances optimum exercise, improves an athletea��s health and significantly reduces injuries.

a�?Ita��s important that coaches and athletes utilise simple but effective strength and conditioning resources and the Avatar is one of them,a�? he said.

The outdoor training structure can be used by children as young as 10 years old.

Jeans has worked with numerous national teams that include All Africa Games teams that competed in 1991,95 and 1999, the Zimbabwe Olympic that did duty for the nation in 1992, 96 and most recently the 2016 team that competed in Rio de Janeiro.