The jungle gym is a childhood playground staple first invented in Illinois. Modern versions of the metal original can be found alongside other traditional playground equipment at school, public and backyard playgrounds around the country. While...
In 2010, the army began implementing a new Physical Readiness Program for soldiers. Unlike the old physical training program, it is based on preparing soldiers for the tasks they will need to perform during their time as a soldier instead of a...
Keeping youths physically active can be tiresome and difficult, especially when they are tempted to stroll through the mall or sit in front of the television all day. The key is finding an activity that they enjoy, such as dancing or a sport....
Most children enjoy spending time playing on playgrounds, but many children are injured each year on playgrounds. According to Kids Health, many injuries occur because of improperly maintained playground equipment, improper playground surfaces,...
KidsHealth.com recommends regular exercise for children to improve muscle tone, build strong bones and improve mental health. Regular workouts also prevent weight gain and can discourage development of childhood ailments related to weight gain and...
According to the Kids Health website, adult diets are not appropriate for kids. Kids have different nutritional requirements as they grow and enter puberty. Many adult diets do not accommodate for additional vitamin and nutrient needs. When...
Childhood obesity has steadily risen in the past three decades. The rate of children ages 6 to 11 struggling with this issue has risen from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008, according to the National Center for Chronic Disease...
At one time, a gym set for children may have referred to just a tripod-like apparatus with a sliding board on one end and a few swings. Today, gym sets are extravagantly designed structures with ramps, miniature climbing walls, enclosed slides,...
It's important for your child to participate in three kinds of physical activity: aerobic, bone strengthening and muscle strengthening, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This can be accomplished by providing children...
Regular stretching can improve a girl's flexibility and even help keep her from getting hurt. It should be a regular part of your fitness routine. Do stretching exercises at the end of your workout when your muscles are already warmed up. Hold...
It is important for children to be active in order to lead a healthy life. When people hear of developing an exercise plan, they think it involves going to the gym or running on the treadmill. For a child that is not the case; they need to be...
Even though children are naturally more flexible and less prone to muscle strains than adults, it's still wise to perform a sufficient warmup before any type of exercise. Fitness is important to keep weight at manageable levels and maintain good...
A generation ago, kids and exercise went hand-in-hand. School days were punctuated by recess, giving kids time to run and play. On weekends, neighborhoods were filled with the sounds of kids playing tag and baseball. In recent years, many schools...
Snowshoes are another item used by skiers for steep climbs. The call of fresh powder on pristine slopes drives skiers up the mountain to get that first run over fresh snow. Snowshoes are designed for use with hiking boots, but it possible to use...
Exercise is important for all people, children included. According to the National Institutes of Health, children who exercise regularly may experience a reduction of stress, a healthier weight, better sleep and improved school performance. While...
In a world where many parents are trying to pry their children away from video games or television so that they can get some exercise, having an active child can seem like an advantage. In many ways, it is. Kids who get regular exercise are less...
The average male needs 38 g of fiber a day, and the typical female needs 26 g of fiber. Unfortunately, most Americans only get 14 g a day, warns the Colorado State University Extension. Several snack bars on the market --- all rated by fitness and...
Many healthy habits develop early in life, and physical activity and endurance is no exception. Endurance develops as children exercise and increase the amount of activity their bodies can produce, resulting in stronger muscles, less body fat and...
Strong forearms will help you perform everyday activities more easily. Examples of tasks requiring forearm strength include holding your wrist steady when making a golf shot, opening a jar and carrying grocery bags. A variety of exercise...
The lateral head of your triceps forms the horseshoe shape of this muscle group. The lateral head is located on the outward facing part of your humerus bone in your upper arms. Press-down and kick-back triceps movements recruit the lateral head of...
The town of Spring, Texas, is a suburb located north of Houston. Spring's Parks and Recreations department maintains several parks scattered throughout the town, many of which feature trails that are ideal for running. Spring has both paved and...
You may take your family to New York City for the art, culture, dining and fashion, but the big city that never sleeps also offers several health and fitness activities for children. The sports programs, outdoor recreation, and farmers markets in...
With the temptation to eat junk food, play video games and sit on the couch all day constantly hovering over their heads, parents need to work to make sure their children maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Consider exposing them to one or...
P.E. class emphasizes physical fitness for kids from elementary to high school age. Most schools schedule at least one physical education class per week for students. A mix of exercises, sports and physical games teach the kids new physical skills...
Jungle gyms are commonly found on playgrounds of all kinds. Also known as monkey bars or climbing frames, jungle gyms consist of an open framework that allows children to climb, sit or hang from the various pieces. Jungle gyms are usually made of...
Your workouts are an essential component to your daily schedule. Every day, you have the choice of where you are going to complete the workout. You can choose the gym -- a traditional fitness club -- or a CrossFit gym -- a workout program with...
Teens are exposed to a constant media barrage of commercials hawking greasy, fast food pizzas, burgers and fries loaded with trans fat and saturated fat that if overconsumed, can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and other chronic...
Finger endurance is crucial in rock climbing because there are times where you have to support all of your weight in your fingers. If you lose your grip, you are not only in danger of falling, but of taking someone else with you if you are...
Kids need physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Not all kids are motivated to engage in physical activity on a daily basis. Sometimes a sedentary lifestyle can be hard to break out of. Kids of all ages benefit from regular exercise...