Why Should you exercise?
We only have one body and we should all do exercise as part of keeping it healthy. However lots of us don’t do enough.
How long should you exercise for?
According to the NHS guidelines children and young people aged 5 to 18 are advised to do 2 types of physical activity each week.
Advice regarding sports and activities which are beneficial and appropriate for this age group can be found at the following link:
For children with additional physical needs and disabilities the advice differs slightly:
Additional Physical needs Guidance
Activities that may encourage your child’s development include soft play, climbing frames, cycling, swimming and sports/PE. There are many games available that encourage movement e.g. twister and hopscotch.
Sports:
Sports are very important as they keep you fit, keep you healthy and you meet lots of new people. You don’t have to do it to an elite level, just for fun and to keep fit!
- When trying a new sport, make sure you start at a low level of activity and build up your involvement. This will prevent injury and improve your overall fitness.
- Stretching after activity when your muscles are warm will also help to reduce injury. All of your muscles should be stretched immediately after exercise, including your legs and arms. Your coach or group leader should be able to teach you some appropriate stretches to complete after your session of sport.
If you sustain a minor injury, please follow this link for support: Musculoskeletal
As a teenager your posture is very important, especially as you may be carrying a heavy school bag, sitting in class and using a computer/games console. Having a good posture will help to reduce the risk of back pain, shoulder pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. You can further reduce the risk of this by ensuring you take regular movement breaks and are trying to complete regular physical activity.
