Why Children Need to Play Outside By: NeuroNet
Why Children Need to Play Outside
Children who play outside after school have significantly higher fitness levels and more often meet the recommended guidelines for daily physical activity, according to new research.
The World Health Organization recommends that children participate in a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Previous research has shown that most children accumulate a majority of their physical activity time during school hours; however, with increasing cuts to physical education, children are spending less time outdoors at school and are less active.
Researchers examined 306 youths (9-17 years of age) regarding their time spent outdoors between the hours of 3:30-11:59 pm. Participants wore an accelerometer and completed surveys in which they self-reported their time spent outdoors after school, including organized sports and free play.
The results, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, showed that children who did not spend time outdoors after school failed to reach the recommended amount of daily exercise. The same children also spent an additional 70 minutes per day in sedentary behavior compared to children who reported spending most of their time outdoors after school.
Overall, children who spend more time outdoors, whether in organized sports or free play, have higher physical activity levels and enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness.
Lower levels of physical activity among children are often due to the increased availability of sedentary entertainment like electronic games and computers. The findings support the promotion of outdoor play for children as a means to increase activity levels by removing more sedentary options that indoor play provides. Playing outside is a great way for children to have fun while exercising.
So, tear your child away from the computer screen and get them outside!
NeuroNet note: The NeuroNet Classroom Enrichment program is an engaging and dynamic way for schools to integrate physical activities that promote both cognitive and motor development. Request a Brochure.