The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports states that the overall status of and participation in physical education in schools is declining. While many schools have physical fitness classes in place, most children do not get enough aerobic activity in their daily lives. Aerobic fitness is extremely important for children because it affects their body weight, disease risk, self confidence, interaction with other children and overall quality of life.
Weight Control
Aerobic activity is not only healthy for the heart, it burns calories as well. Children who exercise often are less likely to be overweight than those who don't exercise, according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Being overweight decreases a child's quality of life because they are able to do fewer physical activities and are often teased about their weight.
Prevention of Health Problems
According to Reuters Health, a recent study involved 38 asthmatic children ages of 7 to 15. The study tested some of the asthmatic children's response to aerobic activity. It was found that the children who did aerobic exercises had to take less steroid medications for their asthma because it was naturally controlled better through exercise. In addition to asthma, aerobic activity prevents and controls other diseases that may affect the quality of a child's life, such as diabetes.
Self Confidence
Exercise, especially aerobic fitness, helps to promote self confidence in children, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA website states that when children exercise, they feel good about themselves and about their abilities. Better self confidence means the child will be happier and will enjoy life more.
Friendship
Whether it's in school, after school or on the weekends, aerobic activity is a great tool that children can use to build friendships. Group sports like soccer, baseball and basketball bring children together because they are playing on teams. Children can even meet friends in individual activities like swimming or doing aerobics, which may better the quality of the child's life both socially and physically.
Recommendations
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recommends that children do moderate physical activity, such as walking, every day. The Council also recommends vigorous physical activity like running or playing sports, at least 20 minutes, three times per week. Since many schools do physical activity classes only once a week, it is a good idea for parents to promote aerobic fitness activities outside of school as well.
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