Exercise is an essential part of healthy living and loads of evidence has shown the numerous benefits connected to having regular exercise. Exercises are not only designed for the gym, every time you and your kids walk to the store, throw a softball, swim a lap, climb a flight of stairs, water the garden, or carry packages, you are improving your health and fitness levels. But one thing is important when it comes to exercise, you need to be intentional about it. Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity exercises daily. This will enable you to harness all the benefits of exercise. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of exercises for kids between the ages of 6-12.
Research has shown that cardiovascular disease can begin in childhood and one of the ways to tackle it includes regular exercise, healthy sleep, drinking enough water, and eating healthy
1. Exercise Strengthens Their Heart
Regular exercise helps young children to keep healthy blood pressure and strengthen their bones and muscles. Just like every other muscle, the heart is a muscle that becomes stronger and more efficient when it is exercised. Regular exercise helps the steady flow of blood to and fro the heart. Research has shown that cardiovascular disease can begin in childhood and one of the ways to tackle it includes regular exercise, healthy sleep, drinking enough water, and eating healthy.
2. It Strengthens Muscles and Bones
When your child engages in physical exercise, their muscles and bones are stressed which further strengthens them. Many people start losing their bone mass in their 20s but those who exercise regularly are at the advantage of reaching their peak bone density before they begin to lose bone mass. This prevents them from bone-related health issues such as osteoporosis.
3. It Increases Lungs Capacity
The ability of your lungs to move air in and out the body is increased when we engage in exercise. For little children between the ages of 6-12, they need about 6 LPM of oxygen for proper respiration. The ability of their lungs to take in enough oxygen and dispense carbon dioxide is enhanced by regular exercise.
4. It Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
There is no doubt that little children like sugary things. When they engage in regular exercise, it prevents sugar from storing in the blood by triggering muscles to take up more glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy. Children living with low or high blood sugar levels are advised to see the doctor before taking any form of exercise.
5. It Aids Physical and Mental Balance
Children feel happier when they are allowed to engage in physical activities. This goes a long way to improve their emotional well-being. According to research, exercise releases beta-endorphin (a substance that blocks the sensation of pain). Exercise improves posture, and aids general body balance.
Here are a few exercises recommended for children between the ages of 6-12
Bike riding
Martial arts
Skipping with a rope.
Swinging on playground equipment bars.
Gymnastics.
Climbing.
Jumping
Squat and lunges
Push-ups and sit-ups
Stretching