The Way Your Children Exercise Really Does Matter
New research finds that the type of exercise your child does has more long lasting effects than previously known.
Getting kids to exercise physically in school has become a top priority in many school districts across America, as kids are spending too much time sitting in a classroom and not running around. In fact, many children are spending so much time in the classroom, that it is affecting their scores in a somewhat negative manner. While the United States continues to struggle to get kids outside with such campaigns as Play 60, many European countries are looking at what is the best way for children to exercise when they are up out of their chairs at school. One such European country is Denmark, where researchers at the University of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences looked at the various types of exercises that schoolchildren complete, to see which one is the most beneficial in terms of short-term and long-term health.
The study looked at the bone and muscle health in 295 children in Denmark for a year, and who participated in the 'FIT FIRST' training concept (a fitness program run between coaches and schoolteachers). The researchers measured baseline muscle and strength and bone density, while children were divided into groups and asked to complete ball-game activities, circuit-training activities, or just free-form exercises. The study found that bone density in the legs and whole body of the children rose an average of 44% and 46% more in those who participated in ball activities, while the circuit training group saw an average rise of 39% and 17% more than the baseline measurement. Bone density in the legs increased by 7% in the ball game group and 5.6% in the circuit training group, while there was only an increase of 4% in the control group. Muscular strength increased by 10% in the circuit-training and ball group, while there was no change in the control group. Balance improved by 13% in the ball group, 19% in the circuit-training group, and did not improve in the control group.
The study looked at the bone and muscle health in 295 children in Denmark for a year, and who participated in the 'FIT FIRST' training concept (a fitness program run between coaches and schoolteachers). The researchers measured baseline muscle and strength and bone density, while children were divided into groups and asked to complete ball-game activities, circuit-training activities, or just free-form exercises. The study found that bone density in the legs and whole body of the children rose an average of 44% and 46% more in those who participated in ball activities, while the circuit training group saw an average rise of 39% and 17% more than the baseline measurement. Bone density in the legs increased by 7% in the ball game group and 5.6% in the circuit training group, while there was only an increase of 4% in the control group. Muscular strength increased by 10% in the circuit-training and ball group, while there was no change in the control group. Balance improved by 13% in the ball group, 19% in the circuit-training group, and did not improve in the control group.
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