Marlene Nunes Silva, director of the National Programme for the Promotion of Physical Activity, of the Directorate-General for Health, and professor at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of the Lusófona University of Lisbon, is the guest speaker in the 12th episode of the second season of Portugal Football Observatory's podcast 'Ciência e Futebol' (Science and Football).

In this conversation, the head of the DGS analyses the results of the pilot programme that took place during the first three months of the year in 44 primary schools throughout the country. The results presented at the recent Portugal Football School conference 'Sports for Children and Youngsters' were positive, and Marlene Nunes Silva believes that the 'Hora dos Super Quinas' (as the programme is now called) has everything to become a success and help Portuguese children increase physical activity.

The importance of motor skills, the director of the DGS explains, goes way beyond the physical aspect, helping individuals from a psychological, social and cognitive standpoint. Furthermore, programmes such as this can also bring improvements to the community and sustainability level, contributing to the targets of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

You can listen to the interview here or on the main podcast platforms available on the web.