Exercise benefits all
Professor Brett Smith, Durham University; Professor Charlie Foster, University of Bristol
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
The leaders of new guidance outline why regular physical activity is important for the health, wellbeing and confidence of disabled children
Being active is good for the physical health and wellbeing of children. That includes disabled children of all ages. Our recent research for the UK Chief Medical Officers found that physical activity is for most disabled children a safe and good way to boost their confidence, balance, co-ordination and mental health. Our research also emphasised that physical activity is a great way to make friends and give people a sense of achievement.
It can help children feel calmer and less stressed too. But how much physical activity should disabled children do? And how might practitioners in nurseries implement the Chief Medical Officers’ guidance?
The new UK physical activity guidelines tell us that disabled children should do 20 minutes or more of sustained physical activity per day for good health. This recommendation is less than the 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity each day recommended for non-disabled children.
The reason disabled children may need less activity is because certain disabilities may mean they work harder when active due to differences in their muscle mass or the way they move. Children should also do bitesize chunks of physical activity throughout the day.
But how? Physical activity can include sports like football, swimming and tennis. However, it also includes other forms of movement. For example, disabled children told us they enjoy (TikTok or freeze) dancing, rope jump games, tig/tag, climbing, pillow fights, and wheelbarrow, crab, and bear-walk races. They also said they enjoyed physical activities like bubble bashing; balloon ball; scavenger hunt; bowling; animal races; follow the leader; and clean-up race.
These are just a few ideas. The important points to remember are: keep it fun and silly, try ideas out, and share with colleagues ideas to help children move and smile. Remember too that disabled children can be active indoors and outside. But when possible and safe, being active outdoors is often best. There are additional benefits to being active outdoors, including eye health and development. And last, include physical activity in conversations with parents. You might also share with them an infographic or link to an animation. These can be found at:
