Why Exercising with Your Children is so Important.

Have you heard about the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines? Most people have, but did you know that there are also physical activity guidelines for children as well? 

The guidelines 

The Australian government has made these guidelines because physical activity is an important part of growing up, growing healthy and setting up good habits. 

The physical activity guidelines for children 5-17 years of age are: 
 

• At least 60 minutes each day of moderate to vigorous physical activity that makes the heart beat faster. More is better.
• Incorporate vigorous activities and activities that strengthen muscle and bone in the 60 minutes at least 3 days of the week.
• Limiting the time spent sitting or lying down, especially in front of screens.
• No more than 2 hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day.

The benefits 

Just like in adults, physical activity in children provides physical health benefits such as: strong bones and muscles, lowers risk of disease, lower risk of developing unhealthy weight, allows for healthy growth, improves aerobic fitness and improves coordination and movement. Children participating in more physical activity also get lots of social, intellectual and psychological health benefits including:  

• better self-esteem and confidence
• a chance to have fun with friends and family
• reduced antisocial behavior
• Improved concentration
• Decreased anxiety and stress
• better cooperation and teamwork skills

The role model’s role

Parents play an important role in a children's life to allow them to grow, learn and become adults themselves however parents are also very influential to their child's participation in physical activity. 
Allowing your child to participate in physical activity outside of school, allowing them to participate in team sports, not allowing them to spend too much time on computer screens or TV screens and encouraging them to be as active as they can be are all decisions that make a really big positive impact on your child's development.

Not only should you encourage and allow your child to participate in all types of different physical activities but you should participate in physical activity yourself or join in with your children. This sets a good example and helps to create healthy habits that continue with them into adulthood.

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What activities can I do with my kids?  
How about try the following activities with your children:

• Using the playground 
• Playing sport 
• Playing chasey 
• Riding a bike 
• Swimming
• Walking the dog 
• Playing frisbee 
• And many, many more

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For further information visit: 

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/05/24-hour-movement-guidelines-children-and-young-people-5-to-17-years-brochure.pdf  


By, Izaac Boylan 
Accredited Exercise Physiologist

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