As we all know, no matter how old or old, exercise is important to health. It’s easy to think that there is no problem for children to stay active. After all, there are physical education classes in schools, young people have rest during class, and organized sports - a lot of organized sports. But children, especially teenagers, are far less active than you think.
According to WHO , teenagers should perform at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activities every day. However, a 2019 study published in the Journal of Children and Adolescent Health showed that less than 20% of school-age teenagers worldwide are conducting moderate physical activity, and girls are not as active as boys.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this number is slightly higher in the United States, with 24% of children aged 6 to 17 exercising for 60 minutes a day. What is behind these frustrating numbers? Many things. The appeal of organized sports is fading, mainly due to its increasing costs, time commitment and often overcompetitive nature. In 2018, only 38% of children aged 6 to 12 played organized exercise, down from 45% in 2008, according to the Aspen Institute. The Aspen Institute wrote in its 2021 game status report that the COVID-19 epidemic may further accelerate the downward trend.
Then there is technology. Nearly half of American teenagers said they were online “almost uninterrupted”, compared with just 24% from 2014 to 2015, according to a Pew Research Center study. In most schools, break breaks and outdoor play time are no longer mandatory, says Carol Harrison, a senior clinical exercise physiologist at the University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Furthermore, more kids are now driving to school than they used to be, when they were walking or cycling. "Many children come home and their parents may not have gotten off work," Harrison said. "The result is often playing games and watching TV on the computer while often eating unhealthy snacks."
experts say this lack of exercise is worrying, and not just from a weight point of view. In addition to improving your heart, muscle, bone and metabolic health, regular exercise can also help improve your coordination and agility, and the resulting increased blood flow can also help the brain. "Study shows that children who participate in daily physical activities perform better overall and focus more, which translates into better academic performance," she said. "It also helps control impulses and manage emotions better."
Methods to promote physical activity How do you make your child sweat? While this is often a challenge, there are many ways to bring more physical activities into your child’s life. Make sports a fun social experience No one wants to be told to get out and start running. Instead, look for activities you all love. It can be a simple family bike trip, a round of throwing bean bags games or going to the park with friends. On the off days, arrange a camping trip, and daily swimming, hiking or boating are on the schedule.
"Focus on fun," Harrison said. "For most children, fun is an essential factor." So is the social aspect. “Study shows that the primary reason most adults start and stick to exercise programs is social factors,” she said. “Kids are the same.” Consider organized sports Organized sports help young people build social connections and learn perseverance and team spirit. But some projects focus more on winning than developing skills. If your child is eager to master a special sport, a competitive program may be a great option. But teenagers who participate in organized sports for entertainment and socialization may prefer less competitive environments.
Jennifer Forrest Gens, assistant professor in the Department of Entertainment, Parks and Tourism Management at the University of Pennsylvania Parker, said you should know that coaches play an important role in team activity levels. Some people do less active practices, and in basketball shooting training, players may spend a lot of time listening to instructions or waiting in line.Think creatively Not all children will like organized sports, especially those that are not competitive. But maybe they will like rock climbing , skateboarding or performing arts. "My entry point is the youth circus," Forrest Gens said. "The airflying people are the activity of more and more young people today."
also has dance, yoga, martial arts, extreme frisbee , badminton, pickball , etc. Current Trend: virtual reality movement, Agans says this may stand out in the future. Studies have shown that it has the potential to have a positive impact on physical activity. Put it in secretly Strictly speaking, exercise is not the same as exercise. For example, chores can burn calories, so assign your child the most exercise-needed tasks that suit their age. Think of mowing the lawn or vacuuming with dusting or drying the dish. Harrison said creating a garden is another good option because it includes planting, watering, weeding and more.
Competition can also promote activities. Challenge your kids to see who runs the fastest every day or week, do the most sit-ups or walk the most. Use small gifts as rewards. Don't ignore volunteer work, which usually requires a lot of exercise. Maybe they could participate in a trail construction event, or help someone pack and move boxes. Follow your kids If teenagers suddenly lose interest in activities they usually like, sit down and talk. Forregans said maybe their lack of interest in swimming was because they were suddenly embarrassed to be seen wearing swimsuits. Or maybe they want to quit football because new teammates are making fun of them, or they have no friends on the team this year.
Interpersonal constraints like this can prevent people from doing what they like to do,” she says, so don’t think your child suddenly loses motivation to exercise. There may be something else. Also be aware of signs of exercise addiction, which includes overexercise, which is often associated with eating disorders. Signs of compulsive exercise include losing a lot of weight, exercising more after eating a lot or missing a workout, refusing to skip a workout, even when you’re tired, sick or injured. Point out the positives When teenagers find activities they like, be sure to pay attention to the positive impact they increase exercise, whether it’s stronger muscles, better sleep or higher energy levels. This can help them on days when their motivation is weakened — something happens to children and adults. “Kids can learn to move excitedly,” Forrest Gens said. “We need to put them on a path where they have the foundation to enjoy exercise that will allow them to look for activities when they are young. ”
In short, if you want your child to have better concentration and have a gentler temper, take your child to exercise quickly.
