Benefits

Physical activity is widely known to help prevent a number of serious conditions in life, including reducing the risk of coronary artery disease caused by atherosclerosis, a process that narrows the arteries which begins in childhood and is accelerated by a number of primary risk factors, such as being overweight, physical inactivity, high blood pressure (Sharkey & Gaskill, 2007). The risk of many forms of cancer is reduced through early activity, especially in women who had fewer cancers of the breast and reproductive system (Frisch, et. Al, cited in Sharkey & Gaskill, 2007). Regular exercise can also reduce the risk and in some cases, completely prevent diabetes, obesity, arthritis, osteoporosis, stress, anxiety and depression.

 

Toddlers should be physically active for at least three hours a day and that includes a combination of light activity (standing, freeplay, rolling, walking) and energetic activity, such as hopping, skipping, ball games and jumping.

 

Children under the age of five should be physically active for at least one hour per day. Energetic activities could include swimming, gymnastics, dancing and climbing (NHS Livewell, 2013).

 

In younger children, physical activity;

 

• Enhances bone and muscular development
• Helps develop motor skills
• Improves cognitive function
• Contributes to a healthy weight
• Supports learning of social skills
• Improves cardiovascular health

References

 

NHS Livewell (2013) 'Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years)' [online] http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-children.aspx (Accessed 2 June 2015)

 

Sharkey, B. J. and Gaskill, S. E. (2007) 'Health Benefits of Activity and Fitness' in Fitness and Health, 6th edn, Leeds, Human Kinetics