Experts Urge Children Need More Exercise |
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New guidelines from the National Association for
Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommend that children be
physically active for at least 60 minutes per day - and longer if
possible.
According to the NASPE, a nonprofit organization
for fitness and physical activity professionals, "extended
periods of inactivity are not appropriate for normal, healthy
children... inactive children and youth are much more likely to be
sedentary as adults than children and youth who are active."
The NASPE also stated, "children and youth
who have active parents and family members and who do physical
activities with them are more likely to be active than those who are
not active with family members... 'children' develop skills through
involvement in physical activity... only through devoting time to
these skills will they become a regular part of a healthy
lifestyle."
Other recommendations of the NASPE include:
- schools need to make time for physical
activity in a child's day.
- youngsters should be exposed to a variety
of activities.
- continue to encourage motor skill development.
- some of a child's physical activity each
day "should be in periods lasting 10 to 15 minutes or more and
include moderate to vigorous activity."
- activities that can be done throughout a
lifetime should be encouraged.
- National Association
for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) in Reston, Virginia.
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