Students exercise 5 minutes every day for a healthy life
900 Students in Van Participate in 5-Minute Daily Exercises as Part of a YYÜ Project
At Özel Hürriyet College in Edremit district of Van, 900 students are taking part in a project developed by Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ) Sports Medicine Department Head, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şehmuz Kaplan. As part of the "We Exercise for a Healthy Life" initiative, students exercise for 5 minutes every day, five days a week, simultaneously in their classrooms.
The activity, started about a month ago, is supported by the school administration, and students and teachers perform posture-correcting exercises together under the supervision of sports trainers.
Purpose of the Project: Preventing Increasing Posture Problems in Children
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaplan emphasized that posture problems are becoming increasingly common in children due to longer school hours and prolonged sitting.
“Students spend long hours sitting, causing shortening and weakening of some postural muscles, which can lead to pain over time. When we shared the project with the management of Hürriyet College, they gave full support. Students from primary to high school dedicate 5 minutes, five days a week, to posture exercises. With regular practice, noticeable improvements in posture will be achieved.”
Kaplan also explained that asymmetric postures caused by carrying backpacks on one shoulder, desk work causing kyphosis (hunchback), and the overload on neck muscles can lead to headaches in children.
“These exercises aim to prevent such complaints.”
Positive Feedback from School Management and Students
Ramazan Yavuz, General Manager of Özel Hürriyet College, stated that this is the first time all students exercise simultaneously in the school.
“Initially, students were hesitant, but now the entire school participates together. Students and teachers follow exercise videos on smart boards in classrooms. The short duration keeps students interested. We also observe a decrease in headache complaints among students.”
Students said the exercises help stretch their muscles and stay healthy:
“We sit for 8 hours a day studying, which shortens our muscles. These exercises help stretch them and are very beneficial.”