The Main Benefits of Starting an Exercise Habit Early in Life
While it is no surprise that exercise is a critical part of any healthy lifestyle, the importance of starting an exercise habit in early childhood is often underestimated. If you operate any kind of recreational facility with indoor playgrounds, then you will love to know that there are many benefits to providing an environment in which young people can begin to develop healthy, lifelong habits. Here are just a few of those benefits.
Better social interactions
When children have the chance to participate in play on commercial indoor playground equipment, they are far more likely to make positive social bonds. With a shared activity (such as those that take place on a kids indoor play structure), children have the freedom to socialize and meet one another in a setting that is both fun and healthy. These relationships formed early in life can translate to lifelong friendships. Furthermore, when children are exercising together, they are learning the skills needed to sustain relationships as they grow and develop in their lives.
Reduced likelihood of health problems
For children and adults alike, exercise provides immense health benefits. In a culture that has high numbers of fatalities associated with heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, it’s critical that recreation facilities with indoor playgrounds do their part to combat health problems that are associated with a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, when children get into a exercise routine early on, it’s much easier for them to carry these habits with them into their later years.
Moderate exercise — whether through sports, recess, or playing on indoor playgrounds — provides improved cardiovascular function, better mood, and a reduced occurrence of more serious health problems brought about by obesity. In combination with other health initiatives in schools and recreational environments, indoor playgrounds are an important piece of comprehensive health and well being in children.
Improved cognitive abilities
Studies have shown that it’s important for children to have regular opportunities for a variety of gross motor activities. As a matter of fact, children who don’t get this interaction in their first six years may face cognitive difficulties down the line. Our brains are incredibly powerful tools — but when they are not fed the right foods and given the right physical exercise, they are not able to operate at optimal levels.
As you can see, these are just a few of the many health benefits that come from establishing an exercise routine early on in life. If you are an educator or work in a recreational facility, then providing access to regular exercise is perhaps the best way that you can contribute to a happier, healthier world — one child at a time.