Topic > Include more physical activity during the school day

IntroductionThe average school year for students in grades K-12 consists of 180 days, with an average of 7 hours per day. Seven hours per day multiplied by 180 days per school year equals 1,260 hours per school year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) recommends that children and adolescents spend 60 minutes a day in physical activities that strengthen muscles and bones (The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, AAHPERD, 2013). Of the 1,260 hours a child spends in a school setting, 180 of these are recommended for engaging in physical activity. Since the child spends most of his time in school outside the home, teachers and administrators are essential people in the child's life. They provide knowledge that will influence children's future decisions. For this reason, they have a responsibility to set an example, outside the home, of what is expected of the child. Physical activity is essential to developing an overall healthy life for everyone, including school-age children. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, physical activity is a critical factor in building and maintaining healthy bones and muscles, while improving a child's social and mental health. The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing, and daily physical activity in children has been shown to be effective in preventing childhood obesity and reducing risk factors. Research evidence also indicates that physical activity can improve academic achievement in grades and standardized test scores. Psychological research suggests that role modeling has an immense impact on children's behavior. Since the reasons are taught, it is very important to support healthy lifestyles that will continue as the child matures. Activities such as brisk walking, jogging and jumping rope are already included. during recess time. However, the break does not provide enough time to meet the 60 minutes recommended by the USDHHS. To complete the 60 minutes, several additional intervals are needed during the school day to encourage physical activity. Adding activities during transitions between projects and courses is another way to include physical activity during the school day. Since children usually begin to feel tired as the day progresses, physical activities that increase the heart rate during different intervals of the day will improve muscle and bone strength. As a result, excess fat will not accumulate and cause weight gain. Instead, daily physical activity will help maintain weight.