The announcement was made on Thursday 7 November on the website of the Ministry of National Education via a circular. The system aimed at introducing two additional hours of sport per week in the college has been abandoned, the project not being feasible according to the same press release.
The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, however, wanted to implement the tools aimed at “building a sporting nation”, riding the wave of the Paris 2024 Games. It was then a question of increasing the hours of physical activity in addition to the hours of physical education – physical education and sport – in all universities by 2026.
This decline is regrettable in many ways. It is during the years spent at university that our children’s growth is most rapid and that many of the health determinants of the lives of the adults they will become come into play. These two hours of weekly sport could have sparked an interest in practicing an activity that they would continue throughout their lives.
The taste for sport is refined with practice; adolescence is a fundamental and ideal period to cultivate it; Adolescence is sometimes tumultuous, a source of intimate questions, depression and anxiety. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of practicing sports in managing stress and anxiety;
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Later in adult life, the health benefits of regular sports practice are no longer in doubt, both on a psychological level and in terms of longevity and the fight against joint disorders and body diseases such as cancer or hypertension. This is medical and economic nonsense, a failed bet on the future that will only increase the prevalence of these diseases and the deficit in the sickness branch of Social Security.
Furthermore, regular sports practice promotes the accumulation of muscle and bone mass and current studies on sarcopenia seem to support the hypothesis according to which early physical activity would allow the acquisition of muscle capital throughout life. What is sarcopenia? This is a muscle wasting linked to ageing, such as osteoporosis which affects the bone system which becomes progressively less dense. This muscle wasting is directly related to the onset of joint pain and, later in life, the loss of independence. Studies put forward the hypothesis that sarcopenia decreases the earlier you start practicing sports in life.
The wonderful energy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will soon be forgotten
The abandonment of these two hours of sports per week is a social injustice because it would have given every student free access to numerous sports disciplines, thus exempting them from paying registration fees and other contributions to sports associations while excluding the indigent. It’s a shame that the beautiful energy of the Games was dissipated so quickly, swept away in a dark way.
Shouldn’t we perhaps take the example of our Anglo-Saxon and German cousins for whom sports practice is one of the pillars of education and schooling: it allows us to develop personal qualities but also a collective sense, a knowledge of living together, and working for a good physical and psychological balance.
With all due respect to the President of the Republic, unfortunately France is not a sporting nation in progress but rather the victim of political decisions announced with great fanfare but rarely followed in their implementation.
What are the potential long-term health consequences of reducing physical education in schools?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Sports Health Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have the pleasure of discussing a recent decision by the Ministry of National Education to abandon the initiative aimed at introducing two additional hours of sport per week in colleges. Joining us is Dr. Claire Martin, a leading expert in sports health and youth well-being. Claire, thank you for being here.
Dr. Martin: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an important topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The abandonment of this initiative has sparked quite a reaction. What are your thoughts on the implications of this decision, especially considering President Macron’s vision of “building a sporting nation”?
Dr. Martin: It’s indeed disappointing. The idea of increasing physical activity in universities is crucial, especially with the backdrop of the Paris 2024 Games. Abandoning those extra hours of sport means missing out on a significant opportunity to engage our youth in lifelong physical activity. It’s during these formative years that their attitudes towards health and sport are established.
Editor: You mentioned the formative years. Can you elaborate on why adolescence is such a pivotal time for cultivating a taste for sport?
Dr. Martin: Absolutely! Adolescence is a unique period where individuals undergo rapid growth and change. It’s not just physical development; it’s a time when mental health issues like anxiety and depression often peak. Regular physical activity has been shown to alleviate these issues, promoting better emotional and psychological well-being. By neglecting to provide structured opportunities for sport, we risk missing a golden chance to equip young people with effective stress management tools.
Editor: That’s a profound point. And from a health perspective, how does the lack of regular physical activity in these years affect individuals later in life?
Dr. Martin: The long-term consequences can be substantial. Studies consistently show that individuals who engage in physical activity have lower risks of various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and hypertension. By not fostering this habit early, we may contribute to a future generation more susceptible to these diseases, which could ultimately worsen the public health crisis and increase the burden on our healthcare system.
Editor: It seems that this decision could widen the gap in our Social Security system, as you mentioned in your article. Could you elaborate on this economic perspective?
Dr. Martin: Certainly. Investing in physical education and encouraging regular sports practice is not just a health measure; it’s an economic strategy. Every euro spent on promoting active lifestyles can save significant costs down the line associated with health problems related to inactivity. Failing to invest in our youth’s health now will likely lead to escalated healthcare costs and a greater prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, ultimately straining the Social Security system.
Editor: That is quite alarming. What steps do you think could be taken to reintegrate physical activity into the education system effectively?
Dr. Martin: It starts with policy shifts—advocacy from both grassroots and scholarly communities is essential. We need to illuminate the long-term benefits of physical education and lobby for its return. Schools could also collaborate with community sports clubs to create a more robust support system for students, ensuring they have accessible paths toward active lifestyles.
Editor: Thank you, Claire, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that the conversation around physical education is far from over, and we must advocate for our youth’s health vigorously.
Dr. Martin: Thank you for having me! It’s essential we keep this dialogue ongoing to ensure a healthier future for the next generations.
Editor: Absolutely! We appreciate your time and expertise today. As this situation develops, we hope to see positive changes in the approach to physical education in our schools. Thank you to our audience for tuning in, and stay engaged with Time.news for the latest updates on important issues like this one.