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Realising the youth's power to promote healthy living among their communities, the Ministry of Education sent 48 students to a distinguished university in the United States for the first time to examine latest trends in sport management.
The Emirati high school students from Grade 9 to 11 joined an intensive two-week programme at University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) in Boston to learn about athletic training, injury care and sports nutrition as part of the ministry's 2018 Ambassadors Programme.
During the interactive programme that aims to show students how to maintain healthy lifestyle, they participated in a human anatomy and physiology lab, and a gross motor skills lab (neuroscience).
"Students used a virtual human to learn about organ systems and physical performance in the Anatomy and Physiology lab and analyse their brain waves as they do exercise in the gross motor skills lab," said Dr Salam Kareem, sport programme specialist at the ministry, who supervised the 'ambassadors of sports' at the UMass.
He added that the programme was introduced when the ministry saw a gap in sports awareness among the young generation. He said while sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition education contribute to obesity that affects over 33 per cent of the UAE's children, it was important to take young fitness enthusiasts and equip them with the right skills they can take to their communities.
In groups, the young athletes were guided by preeminent faculty in the university's athletic department to create strategies for sports leadership, sponsorship, marketing and digital media.
During the second week, students were introduced to sport nutrition to increase their endurance and sports performance. A sports and fitness performance evaluation was also given to students to help them determine their performance and activity.
"We need better sports education in schools and tools to encourage the young generation to improve their nutrition and food intake," said Kareem.
The 48 students were selected based on their fitness activities and passion for leading a healthy lifestyle.
During the programme, Dr Kareem said a public speaking course was also introduced when the ministry staff realised students were shy to speak in front of audiences.
"An athlete must be confident and equipped with the ability to speak in public and influence listeners, especially if they're willing to be leaders," said Kareem.
Meanwhile Sawsan Al Amiri, head of the ministry's health department and the sports excellence ambassadors' batch, said there are many elements that make up an athlete.
"It isn't a matter of just practising a sport. To increase the performance in a sport, an athlete must develop the right nutrition, follow a particular lifestyle and focus on what muscles to grow."
Al Amiri added that the programme taught students the right body shape needed for different sports. "They were introduced to swimming, basketball, volleyball and football with the right muscles to work on to increase performance in each sport," said Al Amiri.
She added that once the programme was introduced, students were hesitant to apply. "They thought it will be a programme that involves two weeks of exercising, but sports is a whole field on its own that has many facets to be tackled," she said.
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