Since the nice weather is with us now, it's time for the kids to put down the game controller and start getting active outside. If your kids aren't active, now is the time to start so that fitness becomes a way of life for them into adulthood. It's recommended that youths get an hour of activity every day!! But it's also important to remember, kids aren't small adults...they're kids! Their bodies are different and have different capabilities and respond to exercise differently than adults.
A few things to consider:
1) Starting at about age 11-12, flexibility begins to decline. Now is a great time to introduce a flexibility routine into your kid’s activity.
2) Their bones are still growing (no kidding Sherlock!) and what helps to develop strong bones into adulthood is lots of weight-bearing exercise…running, jumping, body-weight resistance exercise…as well as a proper diet (particularly calcium)
3) While youths can perform aerobically quite well, they have less tolerance for long duration (10 to 60 seconds) high-intensity exercise. They will have a greater chance to fatigue and they have a higher heat production compared to an adult. Any type of resistance exercise for youth should emphasize balance, form and controlled movements versus increasing the intensity.
4) Youth have a decreased sweat rate so they have less tolerance for environmental extremes…especially hot, humid weather. It becomes very important then to watch for signs of over-heating and to make sure your kids stay well hydrated.
5) Make it FUN! Youth have different priorities than adults and fun is one of them. If you have any questions about youth fitness I am here to field your questions…