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| health > diet & fitness > story page |         |
Getting your kids 'in shape' for schoolAugust 27, 1999
By Kathy Stevens
(WebMD) -- As the new school year starts and you're busy buying notebooks, backpacks and clothes for your children, don't forget that what also should be high on your list is preparing your kids for that school-yard kickball game. Parents often struggle with which type of sport or exercise, and how much, is right for their kids. However, equally important to consider is getting them in shape with a general conditioning program to ensure safety and better performance. The conditioning program should include a balance of cardiovascular endurance (aerobic activity), flexibility and muscular strength, and should be adapted to fit your child's needs. To complete the program, be sure to work on each of the following fitness components, recommended for children 7 years and older, according to the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America. It is vital to keep kids in shape for sports by making sure they're doing aerobic activities like walking, running and swimming. Cardiovascular training should be done two or three times per week for 20 to 45 minutes at a time. The aerobic training should be strenuous enough for them to breathe harder without making them gasp for air or stop exercising. Because children of various ages and stages of development differ in attention spans and physical abilities, you should let them gradually build up to this recommendation. Younger children may need to exercise in short, stop-and-go rounds similar to those that happen naturally in most sports activities. Stronger muscles help kids improve their performance and protect them from injury. To strengthen muscles, kids need to do exercises that make the muscles contract by means of resistance. These include weight-training or "body-weight" exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and tug-of-war. Under the supervision of a trained adult, 12- to 18-year-olds can participate in a progressive weight-training program two or three days a week. Though most kids are pretty flexible, they should still stretch before and after sports or fitness activities to prevent injury. The best time to stretch is the cool-down period, after the kids have gradually slowed down at the end of their activity. During the cool-down they should stretch every major muscle group -- in particular, those they used most for the exercise. They should hold each stretch for 15 to 20 seconds. Stretching can also be done during a warm-up period before your kids play. The warm-up should include large movements that loosen and limber the body, as well as light stretches that are held for about eight seconds. Children should focus on the muscles they will use the most during the activity. Many parents encourage their children to join sports teams that mean a heavy time commitment, and some children participate in several sports. While playing sports has many benefits, an overload can lead to a greater risk of injuries. Making sure your kids are prepared is one way to keep the crutches and casts away.
Kathy Stevens has been a leader in the fitness industry since the late 1970s. She holds numerous titles, including Reebok Master Trainer, and is a member of the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America Board of Certification and Training. A world-renowned fitness educator, she has starred in numerous exercise videos and television programs.
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