Health benefits of regular exercise for children

Regular exercise has many benefits for children, such as improving heart, lung, bone and joint health and developing cognitive function.

Exercise helps children develop physically and improve overall health, reducing the risk of disease.

The recommended amount of exercise and time for children varies depending on their age and stage of development. Preschoolers (3-5 years old) should be physically active with activities such as outdoor play, the amount of time depends on their physical condition and health.

Children and adolescents (6-17 years) should do at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity (walking, cycling, yoga) combined with vigorous physical activity (jogging, weight lifting, planking) every day, 3-5 days a week. Here are some of the benefits that regular physical activity brings to children.

Strengthen your heart

The heart needs physical activity to function properly. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, strengthening the heart muscle through exercise can help prevent heart disease by keeping arteries and veins clear, allowing the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood more efficiently.

Exercise also reduces cholesterol, harmful fats in the blood, and lowers blood pressure. This also helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Strong bones and muscles

Weight-bearing exercises such as running, jumping, and resistance training stimulate bone growth and increase bone density. Increased bone density helps prevent osteoporosis.

Exercise also stimulates muscle fibers, leading to increased muscle mass and strength. Well-developed muscles support better posture, increasing overall physical performance.

Yoga practice is beneficial for children's physical and mental development. Photo: Vu Mai

Improve coordination and motor skills

Physical activity improves children's coordination, balance, and motor skills. Activities that involve physical movement require children to coordinate their muscles flexibly and move continuously. This promotes the development of neuromuscular connections and improves physical motor skills.

Cognitive development

Exercise has a positive impact on cognitive function and academic performance. Movement increases the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain, enhancing cognitive abilities such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. This habit also helps children feel more energetic, more active, and less tired during the day.

Improve mental and emotional well-being

Physical activity promotes positive mental health and emotional well-being in children. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel good and reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.

Regular exercise also helps improve body shape, gives children a positive perception of themselves, and increases self-confidence.

Increased lung function

Maintaining regular exercise has the effect of increasing lung capacity as well as promoting air in and out of the body more easily. The body has more oxygen coming in, releasing more carbon dioxide and other waste gases, strengthening the respiratory system.

Exercise also prevents the decline in oxygen intake that occurs naturally with age or inactivity.

Weight control

Children who are sedentary tend to consume more calories than they need. These calories are stored as fat. In contrast, physical activity can burn calories, reduce fat, and lose weight. Weight loss is good for the heart, and is especially beneficial if your child has diabetes.

Bao Bao (According to Parents, Medical New Today )

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