Exercise is very healthy, even for a teenager. It is good for the development of muscles, the condition, and the establishment of social contacts. Exercising makes you feel fitter, you sleep better, and stress decreases. It reduces the risk of being overweight, it prevents all kinds of diseases, and improves your mood. In short, not exercising is not an option, it seems.
It's Saturday afternoon. I stand with my jacket zipped up and scarf above my ears watching my fourteen-year-old son's team football game. He has been playing football since he was six years old. In those early years it was especially cute to see all those young men, whom you sometimes had to show which goal they had to score, all ran after the ball. My adolescent is now the last man. Last lifesaver. The vacuum cleaner. I see a fast striker crossing the centerline at full speed towards the goal. It doesn't look rosy. “We” have one last resort. My last husband.
Eight years ago when he just started, my son had never heard of sliding on the ball. I see him going for the fast striker. His head up, his body in a proud position. I see my teenager bend his knees and stick his leg forward. The fast striker makes a pike dive, rollover, somersault forward, double flikflak and a split. Many a gymnast would be jealous. The signs ten, ten, and ten go imaginary into the air. The fast striker is moaning on the ground. My son stands up, shakes his hand and walks away. “Meaningful violation,” says the trainer, while the opponent's coach runs across the field with a water bag. I dive a little deeper into my scarf. Huhu, that sports is healthy.
Two hours later I'm on the football field where my oldest son is playing a regional derby. The boys in this team are around sixteen, seventeen years old. This son is also the last man. Its in the genes. I put my hands in my pockets, and with my shawl over my ears again I get ready for this match. It goes as desired, not much later “we” are leading 2-0. The opponent gets hot under their feet, and becomes increasingly fierce. I see the adversary, a skinny curly-haired head of a duel with my son. I hear a loud scream, and see my boy, my darling, crash.
Why is exercise healthy? Groaning in pain with his hand on his thigh, he rolls from side to side on his back. I stand with my hand over my mouth watching. I want to run, onto the field. Grab him, rub his thigh with his face pressed against me, and say it's all going to be okay. That is not possible and is not allowed, the trainer with a water bag with miracle water takes care of him. Not much later, my child is back on his feet and continues with his task.
At home, both matches are evaluated. The oldest pulls down his pants and shows me where the skinny curly hair had hit him with the studs of his football boot. I'm terrified. A long red stripe doesn't exactly adorn his thigh. Traces of a football shoe can also be seen on his other leg. “Oh yes mom, I also did a sliding, I got this one,” pointing to a round scrape on his left hip. My stomach hurts at the sight. “Did you play well?” I ask the men. “Yes, it was a great match,” says the oldest. “Yes, it went well,” said the youngest. I sigh. Exercise is really very healthy.
