Apps, Global, International

WHO, Ministry of Public Health of Qatar and FIFA launch digital app for young people

The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar and FIFA have launched a new digital app aiming to increase physical activity and improve the health and wellbeing of young people.

The app is called ‘Gen Move, Season1’ and uses advanced movement tracking and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to support young people in developing physical skills through “vigorous video game experience”. The games involve actions such as jumping, reaching and kicking in order to develop children’s confidence and enjoyment in moving, can be played indoors or outdoors, and are built around popular sports such as football. They can be played on a mobile phone or tablet.

It is hoped that the app will lead to more initiatives for encouraging activity in children around the world, with WHO recommending that all children and adolescents get an average of 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per day, but estimating that more than 80 percent of adolescents do not achieve this.

FIFA has teamed up with GenMove to offer a complementary football-themed campaign called ‘Bring The Moves’ which encourages young people to share progress online and generate a following for the app throughout the World Cup.Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “Regular physical activity has major, lifelong benefits for physical and mental health, and is essential for the healthy development of children. WHO is proud to launch the GenMove Season1 app with Qatar today. This kind of digital innovation can be a powerful tool to reach young people and get them moving, especially children who might not play sports regularly.”

Her Excellency Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, stated: “Qatar is proud to launch this important innovation for children on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We are committed to doing as much as possible to increase physical activity and build the health of young people here in Qatar and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so hard on young people – limiting physical education and school sports – so it is vital we invest in promoting physical activity and leverage digital technologies to provide new and fun ways to be active.”

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