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Exercise is beneficial for everybody.
For children, it can pay double: increasing vitality now
while building the foundation for a healthy future. Active
youngsters are stronger, leaner, and fitter. They can
gain both physical and psychological benefits from activity,
whilst also becoming more socially active, which is a
common response from participation in sport and leisure.
Active younsters get a head start on lifestyle habits
that will protect against heart disease, diabetes, and
osteoporosis.
There's no better investment in your
child's present and future health than promoting safe,
regular and enjoyable exercise.
Below are some frequently asked questions: -
Q.
What exercise is best?
A. It is recommended that children and
adolescents, like adults, should participate in physical
activity on a regular basis—for at least 30 minutes,
at a minimum of 5 times a week.
The best kind of exercise is one your
child will do regularly and can remain motivated in. Help
him or her find activities that are fun and rewarding.
Whether its basketball, walking, soccer, jumping rope,
anything's ok, if it's enjoyable and done safely.
Preaching or pushing juniors into activities
they don't like is likely to backfire. Youngsters who
learn that exercise is a chore all too often become inactive
adults.
Remember, too, that exercise needn't be organized. Encourage
your child to take the active option in daily life: Walk
instead of using the bus or car, take the stairs, not
the elevator; develop an interest in hands-on activities.
Short bursts of activity add up.
Q.
What about safety?
A. Minor mishaps such as bruises and
sprains are a fact of life for on-the-go youngsters, but
simple precautions will minimize the risk of serious injury.
Make sure your child’s’ activities
are right for their age, size, and physical development.
For example, highly competitive distance running may be
great for a adolescence but too stressful (and not much
fun) for an 8-year-old. Contact sports can pose unnecessary
dangers for smaller children.
Keep team spirit healthy. Competition
is fine, if it isn't overemphasized. Coaches and parents
with a "winning-is-everything" attitude can
pressure kids to push too hard and to play when injured.
Therefore it is essential to communicate regularly with
the people who run your child's school or extra curriculum
activities.
Ensure the use of proper protective equipment for each
sport or activity, For example, the use of shin guards
in soccer.
Seek medical advice if your child is
limping after exercise, or if muscle soreness lasts throughout
the day or night. A child sidelined by an injury shouldn't
get back into action until he or she is pain-free.
Q.
Is it good to get the whole family involved?
A. Children learn by example: When a
parent gets involved with their child's activity, the
child is three times more active than children with inactive
parents. Why not foster fitness together? Enjoy long walks,
cycling, and make active vacations a family tradition.
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