Why Your Son or Daughter Should Start an Athletic Development Program

Most parents want their children to be active and healthy, but it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re looking for a way to help your son or daughter get started on a path to good health, consider signing them up for a gym program. Gym programs, especially those with an experienced strength and conditioning coach, offer kids of all ages the opportunity to engage in physical activity while learning new skills and increasing self-confidence. So why should your child start a gym program? Here are just a few benefits of participating in this type of activity. 

Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Age Kids

Physical activity is important for children this age to develop strength, coordination, mobility and create the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. They’re also acquiring better control over their level of activity.  

School-aged children should be given several opportunities to participate in various activities, sports, and games that are appropriate for their personality, ability, maturation age, and interests. Create a list of activities that feel right to you and your children, which may include an AFL strength program or AFL conditioning. Most youngsters generally don’t mind getting some exercise regularly as long as it’s enjoyable.

Physical activity standards for school-aged children require that they engage in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.

The majority of physical activity should be aerobic, in which children use large muscles for an extended amount of time. Running, swimming, and dancing are examples of aerobic activities.

Throughout the day, school-aged children frequently engage in brief bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity, followed by a mild exercise or rest periods. Any activity that is moderate to vigorous counts toward the 60-minute target.

At least three days a week, muscle- and bone-strengthening physical activity should be included.

Children naturally create strong muscles and bones when they run, jump, and play. Formal weight-loss programs aren’t necessary, but they can be beneficial if they’re well-designed and monitored by a professional. 

Benefits of Gym Programs: 

1) Prevents Diseases 

Obesity is linked to various diseases and health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and cancers of different forms. Obese children have a higher chance of developing the illnesses listed above than children of average weight for their age. Encourage your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle by adjusting their food to include healthier and more nutritious options and encourage them to exercise. This will help to reduce their risks of contracting life-threatening diseases.

2) Increases Strength and Endurance

AFL strength training helps to increase athleticism, coordination, and reduce the likelihood of injuries. Anytime your child participates in an athletic activity like a football-designed running, AFL preseason, or Auskick, they’ll be gaining greater strength and cardiovascular fitness by participating in a gym program.

3) Increases Sports Performance

Sports performance refers to the physical abilities needed for playing sports well. It is related to speed, agility, flexibility, explosiveness, and stamina. Gym programs put Australian rules football kids on a path that improves sports performance by developing these abilities.

Listen to our podcast episode on how to prepare for the 2022 season! 

4) Prevents Injuries

Physical activity is known to prevent injuries from occurring. When they’re done correctly, strength and conditioning programs help strengthen muscles, ligaments, tendons and increase mobility. All of which lowers the chance of injury from happening.

5) Increases Self-Esteem

Gym programs will help your child feel more confident about themselves and their abilities. They’ll gain a greater sense of self-control, have respect for their bodies, and learn to set goals that can be achieved. These are all essential characteristics to develop a strong work ethic that will last a lifetime.

6) Promotes Good Health

Gym programs will not only improve their strength and fitness levels, but they’ll also promote good health in children. By teaching them how to be active, our Aussie rules footballers will have a higher chance of living a long and healthy life.

7) Reduce Stress

Exercise is well known for improving people’s moods by producing endorphins, making you feel more relaxed and happy. Although children are not as anxious as adults, some may be depressed and unhappy. Simply encouraging them to move more is the best method to improve their emotional and mental health. When you participate in your children’s activities, they feel more encouraged. As a result, come up with fresh ways to get involved, and this will assist them in changing their mindset about exercise.

8) Promote Proper Sleeping Patterns

According to a study conducted by The National Sleep Foundation, an individual who exercises for at least 150 minutes each week has a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality. Though they juggle school, friends, and extracurricular activities, regular exercise helps younger children establish a common sleeping pattern.

You may think that your son or daughter is too young to start a gym program, but they aren’t. Starting now can help them avoid injuries as they get older and more involved in sports!

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