The reality about physical activity in youth is that if kids are motivated to be active, other concerns such fitness and fatness generally take care of themselves to the extent it is possible for each child, said Chuck Corbin, Ph.D., FACSM today at the April 2006American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 10th-annual Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition in Orlando. Physical activity is critical to child development, and if adults who influence kids help them learn to like activity, they are apt to be active and stay healthy.
Corbin, a renowned youth sports and health expert, dispels common misconceptions related to physical activity and exercise for children. "Physical activity is what really counts for kids. Youth fitness and fatness are important concerns in modern society, and both affect a child's health. But, focusing primarily on these states of being can result in perceptions of failure among the children who need our help the most," said Corbin. "What truly needs to be understood is that fitness is not the same as physical activity. Activity is something that every child can do regardless of his or her current fitness or fatness level. It's appropriate to target youth who have special problems, including those who are unfit or those who are too fat and help them to be active on a regular basis."
Misconception: Youth are fragile
Children are not physically fragile. Historically, ideas about physical activity limited children. Early fitness tests did not include long runs because of fears they would harm the child. Resistance training, until recently, was thought to be inappropriate for children. In the last 30 years, science has proven these ideas to be false.
Corbin warns, though, that just because kids can do vigorous activities, it does not mean that they should. "Physical activity must be individualized for kids," he says. "Not all youth will respond to the same types of activities. For kids to remain active, they have to enjoy the activities they're doing. Resistance training and long-distance running will not harm youth, but they are not the best activities for motivating many kids. If they don't enjoy the activity, they shouldn't be forced to do it."
Corbin describes this as the Effort-Benefit Ratio. Kids will give the effort to get the benefits of the activities: fun and enjoyment. If they notice these benefits, the effort will not be seen as difficult. If not, effort will diminish and active behaviors will disappear.
Misconception: Exercise guidelines are universal
Children are not miniature adults, so activity guidelines designed for adults are not applicable. Experts agree kids don't have to work in a certain target heart rate zone to reap the benefits of activity. Through accumulated bouts of play and activity, kids generally remain more active than adults. What's important, Corbin says, is developing a lifetime model of physical activity, based on kids' unique needs.
"They shouldn't exercise the way adults do. They're kids," he says. "The older they get, the less inclined they are to be active, but really young kids naturally want to be very active. Some youth will thrive on competition and even seek vigorous activity. Others, especially those who need activity the most, may not enjoy competitive activities and traditional sports. They will often struggle if they are not very good or don't like the activities, then hate P.E. in school or activity in general."
Further, Corbin notes kids and adults will experience different benefits from exercise. "We are motivated by different factors. Adults are mortal; they know they can get heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases related to inactivity. Teens and kids are immortal; just ask them. They don't care about heart disease because it's irrelevant to them right now. They require an immediate benefit — enjoyment — for what they're doing now."
Youth are encouraged to accumulate 60 minutes and up to several hours of activity each day of the week. This can be through several bouts each day utilizing a variety of activities. Bouts need not be continuous to be beneficial. In fact, intermittent exercise is the norm for youth. Bouts that include some vigorous bursts of activity, some moderate activity and some brief rest periods are typical, but walks to school (moderate activity) that are continuous are appropriate.
Misconception: Girls are not interested in activity
Physical activity among young and adolescent girls has been an active area of study in the exercise sciences. Although girls are on average less active than their male counterparts, this does not mean that they do not benefit from activity or that they are not interested in it. Research published by ACSM has shown young girls are more active when fathers model physical activity and mothers support activity by enrolling their young daughters in sports. Another study suggests physical education programs that capture the interest of girls help them to be physically active both in and out of school.
Because of this, girls can be uniquely motivated, says Corbin. "If you want girls to exercise, you have to meet their personal needs. You cannot assume they want the same things as boys in terms of activities and athletics," he said.
Misconception: Fitness is our paramount goal for youth
Corbin believes most kids are not as inactive as adults think, noting that while plenty of evidence shows they are bigger, there's no compelling evidence they are less fit than in previous decades. "It is true that youth are fatter than in the past, but fitness and fatness are not the same thing," he says. Instead of focusing on the generic term "fitness," Corbin suggests focusing on activity and motivating kids to be active as often as possible.
To accomplish this, Corbin says adults who influence youth should promote activity that is consistent with guidelines prepared specifically for children. He emphasizes the importance of understanding kids in order to motivate them. "Fitness and fatness do not change over night. Setting goals to change these, especially in the short term, are often ineffective," he said. "Let's focus on helping all kids be active, especially those who need it the most. Activity is something that is in their control. All kids can be active if we provide the opportunity and help them find something that they enjoy. Motivating a young athlete is not the same as getting an obese child moving."
Misconception: Activity in youth means activity in adulthood
"In schools, most kids taking physical education are participating in group or team sports. That's not what adults do," said Corbin. "We want lifetime activity, so we have to start helping focus kids on what they do in adulthood, like walking, jogging, cycling, resistance exercise, individual sports, and activities in and around the home, such as yard work and gardening. We also need to teach life skills and provide an environment to nurture activity."
Corbin pointed out that many studies tracking physical activity behaviors suggest the "rich get richer and the poor get poorer." Those who are activity-rich get more opportunities to be active while those who are least active (the poor) often have fewer opportunities. However, he notes, there are active kids who grow up to be inactive adults.
"The high school football player may become inactive in adulthood once he loses the opportunity and camaraderie of the sport after graduation," said Corbin. "Teaching a lasting set of life skills that involves physical activity on a daily basis is more likely to influence kids later in life."
ACSM's Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition is going on now at The Buena Vista Palace at Walt Disney World. For more information on the event, or to speak with staff in the on-site media office, please call407-938-6156 (through Friday, April 14, 2006).
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000 International, National and Regional members are dedicated to promoting and integrating scientific research, education and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.
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