Benefits of exercise can lift your child's spirits and set them on the path to a healthy life. We believe the importance and benefits of physical activity cannot be underestimated.
Additionally, when children have a strong sense of physical and mental well-being, they are more likely to develop a positive sense of self and experience positive interactions within their community.
As mentioned earlier, studies have found that keeping teens in the sport can lead to more impactful, higher-paying jobs, especially among young women. But to experience the benefits of physical activity later in life, it is best to develop a lifestyle of physical activity in our children.
Below, we detail the physical health benefits of exercise, the mental health benefits of exercise, and the social benefits of exercise for our children. In all three cases, the long-term benefits of exercise are clear.
We hope this article will inspire activity in the lives of your child and family!
Five benefits of exercise for kids: Physically
When we set out to list five benefits of physical activity, we wanted to focus first on how such activity benefits a child's physical health. It turns out that the benefits are felt across the child's physical well-being spectrum.
Heart disease prevention
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans and the second leading cause of death in Canada. As a result, caring for our children's heart health is very important to helping them live a long and healthy life.
Despite this massive increase in risk, just 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can help mitigate it.
Furthermore, the foundation explains, "For every hour of regular exercise you do, you'll gain about two hours of additional life expectancy." It is a return on investment that will change your life! And like any good investment, the sooner your child starts contributing, the better off later in life.
Weight control
A sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits often lead to the development of an unhealthy weight in children and teens. This weight can put extra strain on the heart, liver, lungs, and other important organs.
Also, unhealthy weight gain can lead to joint injuries, such as frequent knee problems, which can lead children and teens to avoid any additional physical activity. This avoidance can exacerbate health problems and even negatively affect your mental health.
One of the many benefits of exercise for children is healthy weight control. Through exercise, more energy reserves in the body can be burned to nourish the child with play.
When energy stores are being used for fuel, they are less likely to be overgrown, stressing organs and joints to the point of injury. This not only prevents physical health problems, but can also help develop positive mental and emotional health by allowing children to participate in sports and games with their peers.
Physical activity
All parents are familiar with the development of the immune systems of their children. Specifically, they are aware of how often young children get sick when they encounter new germs at school!
Although science hasn't discovered a safe way to strengthen the immune system, Harvard Medical School says that "your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle." As part of this lifestyle, they recommend regular physical activity. They explain that physical activity "can contribute more directly [to improved immune health] by promoting good circulation, which allows immune system cells and materials to move freely throughout the body and do their job efficiently."
Improve dexterity and prevent injury
The more active your baby is, the better he will be at complex movement. Whether it's a game of tag or climbing up your treehouse, active kids are constantly teaching their bodies how to move.
If a child has hundreds of hours of practicing these movements, he is more likely to be successful in this sport.
More importantly, children who engage in a lot of these movements are less likely to be injured during competitive matches at school or in an organized sports league.
Low blood sugar
Diabetes is increasing all over the world. In the United States, 1 in 3 people have prediabetes today. Although diabetes may be viewed by some as a manageable disease, the condition is associated with a range of complications and a higher risk of other potentially fatal diseases. Therefore, the risk of developing diabetes is undoubtedly dangerous.
For this reason, controlling a child's blood sugar levels is a common concern for many parents. In addition to avoiding sugary foods and drinks, physical activity can help your child avoid diabetes. This is because active kids build muscle when they play. While your muscles are working, they use glucose as an energy source that helps control blood glucose levels in the body.
Four benefits of exercise for children: Mental health
When it comes to developing and protecting a child's emotional well-being, physical activity has four benefits that make it an essential daily exercise.
As talk about depression and mental illness increases worldwide, scientists are drawn to studying prevention, treatment, and effects. Next, we explain the benefits of exercise on mental health as they are understood today.
1. Protection from depression
A 2017 study on depression at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that physical activity in children helps protect against depression. During their four-year study, the researchers followed nearly 700 children between the ages of 6 and 10.
The study specifically looked at the level of play of a child with a "sweaty and rough" nature.
These findings show that children can help prevent depression through just play and activity.
2. Low pressure
As Harvard Medical School explains in its article on stress relief, “Exercise reduces levels of stress hormones in the body, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural pain relievers and mood enhancers.” From this extract, It is clear that regular physical activity for children can help in regulating their mood.
3. Increase self-confidence
Humans are by nature tangible. As the above quote from Harvard Medical School explains, we have reward systems built into our brains that encourage physical activity. However, a neurochemical reward is not just a short-term mood booster.
Instead, the mental benefits of physical activity can be cumulative and long-term. As children continue to participate in daily activity, they can build their self-confidence. This feeling of confidence carries a boost that can be transferred to your friendships, community, and studies!
4. Improve sleep
One of the biggest benefits of physical activity for children is improved sleep. Physically active children are less likely to suffer from the psychological effects associated with high levels of cortisol and adrenaline, as mentioned above. This means that they are less likely to disturb the built-in circadian rhythm. When the circadian rhythm is maintained, it will be easier for children to fall asleep.
When a child spends more time in physical activity, they are likely to spend less time in front of screens. That means less blue light and more sleep!
In general, physical activity improves sleep, rejuvenating the mind and body. When children feel refreshed, they are more likely to have energy for physical activity the next day, which helps them continue with a good sleep cycle.
The social benefits of exercise for children
The social benefits of exercise can help a child develop a sense of well-being in a larger community. Even if a child participates in an individual sport such as gymnastics or figure skating, they can still develop a social network of like-minded peers who share common interests.
As we suggest in our article on the value of humble athletes, building a network of fellow athletes can allow children to rely on others for support during difficult times.
It can therefore be argued that the social benefits of physical activity can directly contribute to a child's long-term well-being if they develop a good social network through sport and continue to maintain it throughout adulthood.
Summary: The physical, mental and social benefits of exercise for children are essential to good health
The long-term benefits of aerobic exercise for children are extensive. In terms of heart health, the hours kids spend playing now could double to hours of healthy living later. Childhood exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight, improves dexterity, and prevents injuries. During the game the muscles absorb the excess glucose in the blood and promote blood circulation which helps prevent diabetes and stimulates the immune system.
Regular physical activity also provides many mental health benefits that can enhance a child's sense of well-being. These include protection from depression, reduced stress, and increased self-confidence. Plus, consistent exercise helps regulate sleep, leaving babies refreshed and ready to re-engage the next day.
Finally, the social benefit of exercise helps children build a support system that can eventually increase longevity by 50% in adulthood. When you look at all the benefits of exercise, it's clear that kids live better lives when they stay active.
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