17.6: Physical Activity
- Page ID
- 225537
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Explain the recommended daily physical activity guidelines for school-age children.
- Identify examples of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities appropriate for this age group.
- Analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity patterns in children.
Physical Activity in Middle Childhood
Physical activity is essential for the healthy development of children in middle childhood. Regular physical activity helps improve physical health, enhance cognitive functioning, regulate emotions, and support social development. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 2018) recommends that children aged 6 to 17 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.
During middle childhood, physical activity also provides critical opportunities for social development. Through active play, sports, and movement games, children learn teamwork, cooperation, conflict resolution, and perseverance. Encouraging physical activity in daily routines can support healthy habits that extend into adolescence and adulthood. It is important to foster inclusive environments that welcome children of all ability levels and backgrounds to participate and enjoy movement.
Types of Activities
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\). Jumping rope is aerobic and engages children in both bone and muscle strengthening. Image by RDNE Stock Project is licensed by Pexels.
These guidelines emphasize a variety of activity types, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening exercises. Most of the hour should be spent on aerobic activity, but many activities provide benefits for both bone and muscle strengthening.
Aerobic activities improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance and should be performed daily. Bone-strengthening activities, such as jumping and running, should be included at least three times per week. Muscle-strengthening activities, such as using monkey bars or resistance exercises that utilize body weight, should be performed at least three times a week. These activities help children develop strength, coordination, balance, and healthy growth patterns (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2018).
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted children’s access to regular physical activity. School closures, limited access to playgrounds and recreational facilities, and increased screen time contributed to reductions in physical activity and fitness levels (Dunton, Do, & Wang, 2020). Children who were already at risk for inactivity were disproportionately affected, and the impact continues to influence physical activity patterns even as many public spaces and schools return to pre-pandemic routines (Moore et al., 2020).
During middle childhood, physical activity also provides critical opportunities for social development. Through active play, sports, and movement games, children learn teamwork, cooperation, conflict resolution, and perseverance. Encouraging physical activity in daily routines can support healthy habits that extend into adolescence and adulthood. It is essential to create inclusive environments that welcome children of all abilities and backgrounds to participate in and enjoy movement.
As this chapter continues, the following sections will explore how schools, families, and communities can support children in maintaining an active lifestyle and examine the role of organized sports in promoting health and development.
References, Contributors and Attributions
Dunton, G. F., Do, B., & Wang, S. D. (2020). Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in children living in the U.S. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1351. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09429-3
Moore, S. A., Faulkner, G., Rhodes, R. E., Brussoni, M., Chulak-Bozzer, T., Ferguson, L. J., ... & Tremblay, M. S. (2020). Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth: A national survey. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-00987-8
Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. (2018). Physical activity guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/sites/default/fil...nd_edition.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Physical activity guidelines for Americans (2nd ed.). https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition