Sports are one of the physical activities that are important for health. Sports can help maintain body health, improve fitness, and prevent various diseases. However, based on the 2021 Sport Development Index (SDI) report, only 35.7% of the Indonesian population is active in sports. This figure is still far below the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is 60%. The low interest in sports in Indonesia is caused by several factors, namely the lack of public awareness of the importance of sports to maintain health, inadequate facilities and infrastructure, and lack of support from the government and private sector in sports development.
Increasing interest in sports in Indonesia has many benefits, including:
- Improving public health.
- Improving the quality of life of the community.
- Improving Indonesia’s sports achievements at the international level.
- Benefits of Sports for Public Health
Sports have many benefits for public health, including maintaining heart and blood vessel health. Sports can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. This can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other blood vessel diseases, improve physical fitness. Sports can help increase muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. This can help improve physical ability to perform daily activities. Prevent various diseases. Sports can help prevent various diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis. Improve quality of life. Sports can help improve mood, reduce stress, and increase self-confidence.
To increase interest in sports in Indonesia, various efforts need to be made, including:
- Socialization and education about the importance of sports for health. Socialization and education can be done through various media, such as television, radio, social media, and schools.
- Increasing the development of adequate sports facilities and infrastructure. Adequate sports facilities and infrastructure can encourage people to exercise.
- Increasing support from the government and private sector for sports development. Support from the government and private sector can help increase the availability of sports facilities and infrastructure, as well as provide training and coaching for athletes.
By getting used to exercising, it is hoped that this will have a positive impact on public health, the quality of life of the community, and Indonesia’s sports achievements at the international level.
