the importance of regular physical activity for primary school children by jessica hansen &...
TRANSCRIPT
The Importance of Regular Physical Activity
for Primary School children
By Jessica Hansen & Alexei Borrell
Introduction
Regular physical activity is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and with this come many health benefits. It has been proven that regular physical activity reduces many illnesses and lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. (Simons-Morton, Parcel, Baranowski, Forthofer, & O’Hara, 1991)
Physical activity for primary school children is important as this is there opportunity to develop physical abilities such as coordination and motor skills and in turn in interest in a range of sports. As well as having positive physical effects on the body, regular physical activity can also show many psychological benefits, including emotional, intellectual and social development. (Bredin, Nicol, & Warburton, 2006)
As regular physical activity has so many benefits it is therefore important to incorporate it into young children’s lifestyles. School is a great setting to promote a healthy lifestyle however this requires the support and cooperation of all staff within the school. Through promoting regular physical activities in schools, students are more likely to adopt these positive habits outside of school.
There are a number of guidelines which are set out for Victorian schools and children to encourage and mandate physical activity. These and many other initiatives which provide information on ways to increase physical activity, stress the importance of physical activity in children.
Physical Activity Recommendations
World Health Organization
Children and youth aged 5-17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous- intensity physical activity daily.
Amounts of physical activity greater than 60 minutes provide additional health benefits
Most of the daily physical activity should be aerobic.
Vigorous- intensity activities should be incorporated, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 times per week.
Status within Victorian Primary Schools
Year 4-6: Three hours per week of physical education and sport with a minimum provision of 50 per cent for physical education.
Year 7-10: 100 minutes per week for physical education and 100 minutes per week for sport.
(Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2009)
(Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2009)
The department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) requires schools to offer their students a minimum amount of time each week to be involved in school sport.
Health Benefits
Physical
“Develop healthy musculoskeletal tissues (bones, muscles and joints) &cardiovascular system (i.e. heart and lungs), develop neuromuscular awareness (i.e. coordination and movement control) & maintain a healthy body weight.” (World Health Organization, 2011)
“Encourage healthy growth and development of children’s bodies, including feeling more energetic, developing coordination and movement control and maintaining a healthy body weight.” (Government of Western Australia, 2011)
Physical
By primary school children participating in regular physical activity they are provided with the opportunity to develop co ordination and fundamental motor skills. This early development is crucial in there proficiency and frequency of physical activity as an adolescent and an adult. Co ordination and Fundamental motor skill competence provides children with the ability to excel in a range of activities and sports. (Barnett, 2009) Having this co ordination and motor skill confidence may lead students into being involved with sporting clubs where they can exhibit leadership qualities and enhance their prospects of becoming elite/ semi elite athletes. Being part of sporting teams also helps children illicit other positive traits such as ‘hard working’ and ‘being a team player’, which are traits that can be transferrable in school. (Barnett, 2009)
Dangers of Physical Inactivity
By partaking in regular physical activity, children at a primary school age are able to develop positive skills and habits for the future. By being physically active as a child and continuing this habit into adulthood they are preventing themselves from many lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
The most evident danger of non regular physical activity for children is obesity. Overweight and obesity in children are among the most important risks to children’s long and short- term health. (State Government of Victoria, 2010)
ObesityPotential physical health problems for obese children include:
Potential physical health problems for obese children include:
Type 2 diabetes (most commonly seen in adults but now also being diagnosed in children)
Orthopaedic disorders
Eating disorders such as bulimia or binge eating
Respiratory disorders, such as blocked airways and restrictions in the chest wall
Liver problems, including fatty liver
Cardiomyopathy (problem with the heart muscle, caused when extra effort is needed to pump blood.)
Sleep apnoea
Along with these physical health problems come social and emotional problems. Overweight children are more likely to be teased by their peers or to develop low self-esteem or body image problems. (State Government of Victoria, 2010)
‘About 80% of obese adolescents will become obese adults.’Facts
‘The amount by which children are overweight is increasing at a rate greater than the percentage of children who are overweight’ (Olds, 2004)
‘Since the mid 80’s, obesity among Australian children has risen, with ‘one in four Australian children considered overweight or obese’ (Faine, 2007)
‘In one study it was found that being fit or active had a 50% reduction in risk for cardiovascular disease.’ (George, Kaykha, 7 Myers, 2004)
‘Regular physical activity increases heart and lung fitness and stamina, protects against heart disease, stroke and diabetes and some cancers.’ (Rogers, 2010)
MentalPhysical activity is not only very beneficial for children physical health but also to their social, emotional and intellectual health. Some of these benefits include:
Boost self-esteem and confidence
Improve concentration
Help relaxation
Control over symptoms of anxiety and depression
Provide opportunities for self-expression
(State Government of Victoria, 2010) (World Health Organization, 2011)
Increase social interaction and integration
Adopt healthier behaviours (e.g. avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drug use)
Demonstrate higher academic performance at school
Feel more confident, happy, relaxed, sense of belonging, opportunity to achieve
Develop skills such as cooperation and teamwork
Increase motivation and organisation
Decrease aggression and discipline problems.
(Government of Western Australia, 2011)
Changes that can be made
Create and designate formal leadership roles in schools (e.g. sports coordinator). These leaders should be well educated in physical education and be supported by surrounding staff.
Physical Education needs to be valued as part of the curriculum. The curriculum has marginalized physical education to ‘accommodate demands for the core academics.’ (Olds, 2004)
Students should be vigorously active for at least 50% of a physical education lesson. (Physical Activity, 2011)
Whilst the school setting is a great opportunity for physical activity in children, there are many other settings and occasions where children should be encouraged to participate in physical activity.
Before, during and after school- Having lunchtime walks and talk clubs- Providing access to sports equipment- Holding school running clubs- Providing playground equipment that student want to play on- Holding lunchtime dance classes
Programs and initiatives- Kids Go for Your Life- The Great Victorian Bike Ride- Walking bus program- Stride and Ride- Ride 2 School- Walktober- International Walk to Work Day- Jump Rope for Heart
(Physical Activity, 2011)
(Physical Activity, 2011)
‘Sport is a universal language that can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status. As well as offering many physical and mental health benefits to the individual a healthy inclusive sporting culture can be a training ground to a health society.’ (Ferguson 2007)
References
Barnett, L. M. (2009). The Physical Activity and Skills Study. Camperdown: University of Sydney.
Bredin, S., Nicol, C., & Warburton, D. (March 14, 2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ vol. 174 no. 6 .
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. (2009). School sport. In Improving school sport and physical education in your school (p. 3). Melbourne: Student Learning Division Office of School Education.
George, S., Kaykha, A., & Myers, J. (2004). Fitness versus physical activity patterns in predicting mortality in men. California: Stanford University School of Medicine.
Government of Western Australia. (2011, September 12). Benefits of physical activity for your children. Retrieved September 14, 2011, from Department of Sport and Recreation: http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/benefits-of-physical-activity-for-your-children
Olds, T. (2004). Children and Sport. ACT: Australian Sports Commission. Physical Activity. (2011). Retrieved September 8, 2011, from Activate your school: http://www.activate.vic.edu.au/physical-activity
Rogers, P. (2010, December 20). How physical activity prevents lifestyle disease. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from Food Fitness Health: http://foodfithealth.com/blog/physical-activity-prevents-lifestyle-disease/
Simons-Morton, B. G., Parcel, G. S., Baranowski, T., Forthofer, R., & O'Hara, N. M. (1991). Promoting physical activity and a healthful diet among children: results of a school-based intervention study. American Journal of Public Health Vol. 81, Issue 8 , 986-991.
State Governments of Victoria. (2010, December). Obesity in Children- Causes. Retrieved September 17, 2011, from Better Health: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/obesity_in_children
World Health Organization. (2011). Physical Activity and Young People. Retrieved September 4, 2011, from Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_young_people/en/index.html