There is no doubt that physical activity for children is key to their development. Regular exercise and sports not only keeps their bodies healthy but also helps them develop mentally too. Not only will it help keep them fit but it will also help them learn about teamwork along with learning about winning and losing. If you are considering enrolling your child in a sports club, then it is always wise to be as informed as possible.
One of the key points to think about is the type of exercise they may do, whether it is classed as aerobic or anaerobic.
What is aerobic exercise?
Aerobic exercise is also known as cardio work. It includes any kind of activity that gives their larger muscle groups a good workout for 20 minutes or more. Its main benefit is the strengthening effect it has on these large muscles such as the heart and the general cardiovascular system, including the lungs. Regular aerobic exercise will keep these important areas of kids’ bodies in great shape and help keep them healthy.
This explains why aerobic exercise is so good and vital for your child. In fact, as they are developing continually, this kind of exercise is particularly key for making sure their bodies grow as they should. Naturally, it also helps keep any issues such as obesity at bay.
How does aerobic exercise work?
As your child exercises, their heart rate will go up as their heart pumps more oxygen to their muscles. This helps send more nutrients to the muscles too to make them stronger and build endurance in your child. The more aerobic activity they do, the more robust and healthy they will become. Superb examples of aerobic exercise include riding a bike, jogging or even walking the dog!
What about anaerobic exercise – is that just as vital?
You may have heard of another type of exercise called anaerobic activity. This differs from aerobic in that it involves quick bursts of action followed by periods of rest in between. Although the heart rate will still rise when active as in aerobic exercise, it does not stay there for long periods. When using anaerobic exercise, it will return to around the normal rate during the rest periods.
Life is all about balance and this is true for when your kids play sports or exercise. With this in mind, it is no surprise to learn that anaerobic exercise is also essential for your child’s development. As it provides a different workout for their bodies, it helps them grow and become stronger in different ways. It will, for example, give them explosive muscle power and the ability to react quickly to things in their normal life.
What sports involve anaerobic exercise?
Most of the major team sports children love to play like football, tennis, rugby and cricket involve lots of this. In essence, it is any sport that means your child isn’t constantly on the move or in action. Getting your child involved in a sports club or team is a great way to make sure they get enough of this vital form of activity.
Any kind of exercise is great for your kids
As a parent, you naturally want your children to grow up healthy and with good habits for their adult life. Getting them involved in sports and exercise is a great way to achieve this aim. As we have seen, both aerobic and anaerobic sports are great for their development and a key building block for their future.
Although getting educated on the various factors that may influence this is worthwhile, don’t get too hung up on it. Sport is about your child having fun and doing something they enjoy first and foremost. With this in mind, it is best first to let them play something they are into and let the rest take care of itself. If you let your child get involved with a sport they feel passionate about, then this is more likely to continue into their adult life.
Of course, if you feel they need a boost of either aerobic or anaerobic activity in their regular sports coaching routine, this can be done easily now you know the differences between each.
