Sport Training to Promote Physical and Mental Health of Adolescents in the New Normality Post Covid-19

Abstract

Introduction: Today’s adolescents belong to the digital era, immersed in apps, electronic games, social networks; these facts led to extreme negative outcomes such as sedentarism, overweight, obesity, diabetes, behavior troubles. This last one includes isolation, lack of verbal communication, absence of solidarity, lack of empathy, impaired management of emotions, conducing to deterioration of family and social relationships, as well as impaired physical and mental health. The aim was to identify the influence of sport activity in adolescents to promote physical and mental health in the new normality post Covid-19. Method: The research is qualitative with phenomenological method, through which reality portraits were obtained, allowing to collect and identify participant’s features. Participants were 3 men and 1 woman, beginners and senior students from nursing and sports science schools, aged 22 to 24 years. Specific exercises according to physical abilities of each one were drove, focused in the philosophy of martial arts that include self-care. Data were analyzed according to De Souza Minayo. Original speeches from participants were maintained, narrative and perspectives on their experiences within training, rigor to reach proposed goals and support in their daily lives. Results: Three categories emerged. Category 1. Martial arts promote values in the trainee, with sub-categories: 1.1 They represent a life style of honorability and respect. 1.2 They promote a healthier physical and mental person. 1.3 They encourage values applied to their daily lives. Category 2. Martial arts favorably impact in the life of the trainee, with sub-categories 2.1 They represent a strategy to face stress. 2.2 They promote resilience facing difficult events. Category 3. Martial arts as a holistic support after the pandemic, with sub-categories 3.1 They grant physical, mental and spiritual strength to trainee. 3.2 They encourage tolerance and empathy to family members. Conclusion: Modeling a physical, psychological, and spiritual system within oriental martial arts setting promotes holistic well-being in adolescents, which favors physical, cognitive-behavioral, emotional and sensorial development among adolescents, as well as diminishing public health problems arising in this step of life after the pandemic.