Advice to improve your movement, fitness, and overall health from the world's #1 in orthopedics.
How to Exercise With Your Kids This Winter
If encouraging your kids to exercise more in the colder months is a constant challenge, try these ideas from HSS strength and conditioning specialist Jimmy Russomano.
Advice to improve your movement, fitness, and overall health from the world's #1 in orthopedics.
Many sports programs are on pause, kids are in virtual classrooms and the days are cold and dark. It's a situation that can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Everyone can benefit from exercise, especially kids. Regular physical activity builds strong bones and muscles, enhances coordination and builds fine and gross motor skills. Exercise also helps with weight management and reduces the risk of heart disease.
"Exercise offers psychosocial benefits as well," says Jimmy Russomano, MS, CSCS, manager of education for the Injury Prevention Programs at HSS. "Physical activity is a great way for kids to engage with parents and friends."
As a break during the school day, physical movement can help kids reduce stress and keep their thinking, learning and judgment skills sharp. When it comes to virtual learning, even a 15-minute break between classes is an opportunity to engage in some movement. "Exercise is a great way to recharge your mind and body," says Russomano.
And it doesn't have to require a huge amount of effort or dedicated focus from either you or your child. Though Russomano recommends that school-age children get 60 minutes of physical activity each day, "you don't need 60 consecutive minutes. It's preferable to scatter shorter sessions throughout the day." Three to four physical activity breaks of 15 to 20 minutes each can contribute to your child's health and well-being. Even a quick game of Simon Says, a dozen jumping jacks or a few yoga stretches can do the trick.
Here are some ideas for adding creative, family-oriented physical activity to your schedule.
Published 1/14/2021
