Physical Activity for Children and Teens

Topic Overview

Children benefit from exercise and fitness as much as adults do. Experts recommend that teens and children (starting at age 6) do moderate to vigorous activity at least 1 hour every day.¹ And 3 or more days a week, what they choose to do should:

• Make them breathe harder and make the heart beat much faster.
• Make their muscles stronger. For example, they could play on playground equipment, play tug-of-war, lift weights, or use resistance bands.
• Make their bones stronger. For example, they could run, play hopscotch, jump rope, or play basketball or tennis.

It’s okay for them to be active in smaller blocks of time that add up to 1 hour or more each day.

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Author:	Cynthia Tank	Last Updated: December 9, 2009
Medical Review:	John Pope, MD - Pediatrics Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics Chuck Norlin, MD - Pediatrics
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