How Much Impact Does Physical Exercise Have on Modern-Day Kids?

With a gadget in the hands of many children today, exercise is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Neighborhoods used to have children riding bikes, playing hopscotch and pursuing other activities on a regular basis. Activity was never an issue. Currently, modern-day kids are more sedentary than ever. It's time to take a close look at the impact that physical exercise has on kids today so that it can be prioritized in daily life.

Reducing Future Cardiovascular Ailments

When kids exercise by playing and participating in sports, their hearts and blood vessels receive a workout too. By acclimating the body to consistent exercise, every body system develops strength and durability. As kids reach adulthood, they'll be less prone to cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure. Although genetics play a roll with the kids' overall health, taking control of the environmental factor is important. A kid can have severe, chronic issues for an entire lifetime if genetics and sedentary lifestyles collide.

Improving Test Scores

According to Mercola, kids who have regular exercise produce better test results. Researchers believe that test scores are higher than before since exercise directly moves blood and nutrients to the brain. Specific hormones are also part of the mixture, which makes the students feel good as they learn new concepts. Because they associate good feelings with the learned information, they'll retain it better and apply it during a test-taking situation.

Better Functionality in the Real World

The Guardian reports that kids who don't have regular exercise are actually developing smaller muscles. When you compare kids who work with computers all day to children of the past playing outside, there's a marked difference between the muscle ratios. As a result, modern kids don't have the strength and dexterity seen in previous generations. Exercise can change this fact, however, as kids grow larger and more agile muscles. Handling and manipulating objects with the hands is a critical skill for kids and adults.

Incorporating Exercise

It's incredibly easy to incorporate the exercise into your child's daily routines. Walking to school, joining a sports team and other pursuits are simple changes. You might consider regular trips to Utah ski resorts as well. Skiing and snowboarding are exciting and fun, they burn lots of calories too. Your kids will get in shape without noticing that it's real exercise. Consider a membership to a resort or other commitment in order to keep up with the skiing action.

Focusing on Academics

Aside from doing better in school, kids who exercise also have an enhanced focus on tasks in the classroom, states the University of Aberdeen. After only 10 or 15 minutes of aerobic exercise, kids can focus on their work and pass tests with better grades compared to sedentary students. These studies are ongoing because researchers are trying to pinpoint the exact reasons for the cognitive enhancement. At this point, focus is merely a beneficial side effect to exercise in children.

Fighting Off Obesity

An obvious yet important part of physical exercise is the impact on the overall body composition. As kids move around, their muscles contract and extend. They burn calories, which lowers the amount of body fat on the child. As a result, children have lean physiques that can lead into adulthood. Children who don't exercise and tend to gain weight will follow those same patterns into their adult years. It's critical to get moving early on.

Young children should have at least 60 minutes of exercise each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kids and parents can exercise together when they take a walk or play a game. Any movement helps the kids with their overall health into adulthood.

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter @RachelleWilber