T he HEALTHY project is based on the transdisciplinary approach and its aim is to design and to apply a program for pupils that will give them the opportunity to adopt a healthy lifestyle, starting from their schools, through physical education activities, while it will familiarize them with the European and ancient Greek culture through their participation in Greek ancient games and traditional European exercise games. The creation of this project was motivated by the fact that a considerable proportion of children in many European countries do not meet recommended levels of physical activity and they are engaged in sedentary behavior. A sedentary life-style during childhood is a risk factor for future adult overweight, obesity and chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and various forms of cancer (WΗΟ), health risks that make imperative the implementation of preventive health measures for this population group. WHO’s report (HBSC 2009/2010) strongly supports that schooling can help children engage in healthy behaviours of more active ways of living, targeting healthy youth and future healthy adults. On the other hand, the ancient Greek civilization, as regards physical exercise and sport and their benefits, constitutes for health a valuable world heritage which must be conserved. By choosing the Greek ancient games, combining them with other European traditional games and incorporating them into the physical education classes we obtain both goals: (a) to motivate teachers and children towards alternative ways of physical activity, thus promoting a healthier life-style in an entertaining way and (b) to contribute at the familiarization and preservation of our European Culture. In this way the European Cultural heritage could function as a link that would bring people together, contributing to more cohesive societies through physical activities and healthier habits. For the fulfillment of all previous goals, the Helping Active Life through Targeting Healthy Youth (HEALTHY) project will develop a new learning program, a Web Platform and a multimedia application with transdisciplinary approach, addressing issues such as exercise, counseling on good eating habits, chronic diseases prevention, history and culture. Through HEALTHY, PE teachers and TS will achieve relevant and high quality skills and competences in designing appropriate programs for pupils that will be effective in motivating them to adopt new healthier lifestyles. At the same time, the project will contribute at the establishment of a timeless European culture through schooling. First, an analysis of the needs of the pupils, PE teachers and TS will be held. Based on these needs, the Joint Staff Training Event (JSTE) will be developed (target group: PE teachers and TS) through a transdisciplinary approach for physical activity (that will include “traditional” and “ancient” games and address health issues). Subsequently, the new teaching and learning materials will be used by academics and clinicians in order to motivate the PE teachers and TS to enhance the quality and relevance of their knowledge and skills and guide them on how they will be able to: (a) implement the innovated physical activity programs for pupils during physical education classes or in any other leisure time, (b) inspire the pupils to adopt a healthy lifestyle and (c) educate the pupils in European heritage culture through selected ancient and traditional games (target groups: PE teachers and TS and pupils). Also, the open HEALTHY Web Platform and its multimedia application (including the website of the program) which will provide an online interactive space for all target groups (a) PE teachers and TS and (b) pupils. Finally, the HEALTHY learning materials will be incorporated in the course module entitled “Physical education in elementary school”–which is being offered by the DUTH’s Exercise Science Graduate curriculum–, enhancing, in this way, the quality and relevance of Exercise Science graduate students' knowledge and skills and providing sustainability of the project (target group: PE teachers and TS). In conclusion, HEALTHY supports that today’s physical activity programs (exercise and games) must consider each schools’ facilities, eating habits and psychological attitudes in order to help them to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, it will raise awareness of the importance of Europe's cultural heritage in PE teachers and pupils through exercise-games based on traditional European and ancient Greek games.
The HEALTHY projectwas based on the transdisciplinary approach and its aim was to design and to apply a program for pupils that will give them the opportunity to adopt a healthy lifestyle, starting from their schools, through physical education activities, while it will familiarize them with the European and ancient Greek culture through their participation in Greek ancient games and traditional European exercise games. The creation of this project was motivated by the fact that a considerable proportion of children in many European countries do not meet recommended levels of physical activity and they are engaged in sedentary behavior. . On the other hand, the ancient Greek civilization, as regards physical exercise and sport and their benefits, constitutes for health a valuable world heritage which must be conserved. By choosing the Greek ancient games, combining them with other European traditional games and incorporating them into the physical education classes we obtain both goals: (a) to motivate teachers and children towards alternative ways of physical activity, thus promoting a healthier life-style in an entertaining way and (b) to contribute at the familiarization and preservation of our European Culture. In this way the European Cultural heritage could function as a link that would bring people together, contributing to more cohesive societies through physical activities and healthier habits. For the fulfillment of all previous goals, the Helping Active Life through Targeting Healthy Youth (HEALTHY) project developed a new learning program, a Web Platform and a multimedia application with transdisciplinary approach, addressing issues such as exercise, counseling on good eating habits, chronic diseases prevention, history and culture. Through HEALTHY, PE teachers and TS will be able to achieve relevant and high quality skills and competences in designing appropriate programs for pupils that will be effective in motivating them to adopt new healthier lifestyles. At the same time, the project will contribute at the establishment of a timeless European culture through schooling. In conclusion, HEALTHY supports that today’s physical activity programs (exercise and games) must consider each schools’ facilities, eating habits and psychological attitudes in order to help them to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, it will raise awareness of the importance of Europe's cultural heritage in PE teachers and pupils through exercise-games based on traditional European and ancient Greek games.