youth - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2014 - 62 Euro Cent

As in the previous year, a painting competition organized by the Austrian Post and the VÖPh (Verband Österreichischer Philatelistenvereine) on an important and topical topic was held this year. The subject "Youth for Sport and Exercise" inspired children and young people of all ages to create drawings, paintings, collages and photographs. The selection was not easy for the expert jury, as the design by Nadine Hofer, a student of the BRG Krems, ultimately won. Already from the first year of life, our physical and mental development is driven by a natural and essential urge to move that is inherent in every human being. Children do not need a specific training program in certain sports for the time being - frolicking, running, jumping, climbing or playing ball in the open air is a basic need for children and promotes endurance, strength, skill and speed. This early joy of movement should not be stopped, also performance pressure can be disturbing sensitive and lead to negative effects. On the contrary, it is important to offer the children plenty of room and opportunity for physical development, in addition to spending time at the playground and play equipment such as a trampoline, a bouncing ball or a wall bars can bring great pleasure. If the child later begins to be interested in a particular sport such as swimming, gymnastics, football or horseback riding, fun should always be in the foreground and any compulsion avoided. Scientific studies show that a lot of exercise and sports in children and adolescents in addition to physical fitness also brings very significant psychological benefits. So not only muscles, the immune system or the cardiovascular system are strengthened, but also the self-confidence. Regular sport also increases the emotional well-being of young people, leads to more balance and promotes friendly contacts with peers. However, these studies also show that adolescents age less and less often and spend too much time sitting - whether in the classroom, in front of the TV or on the computer. Lack of exercise can lead to postural problems, back pain and / or obesity, and "inactive" adolescents are more prone to nervousness and depression. Experts therefore recommend at least 60 minutes of active exercise daily. It is also a fact that children and adolescents who do a lot of sports do not lose their joy of movement in adulthood. With the special stamp "Youth for Sport and Exercise" is pointed out the great importance of physical activity in adolescence, the Zweckgewidmte supplement of 20 cents is the youth work of the VÖPh benefit.