How to help your child retain strength throughout the day

In this technology-driven and fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever that we prioritise the physical well-being of our children. As sedentary lifestyle becomes a norm and digital devices capture their attention, we must take proactive steps to ensure their physical strength. So, let’s dive into understanding the term strength and ways to help your kid retain it.   

Why you can’t ignore your kid’s physical strength

Physical strength forms the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle. Strong muscles and bones improve health, posture, and coordination, besides preventing injuries and speeding up recovery. Neglecting this crucial aspect of a child’s health can lead to obesity, poor posture, and reduced bone density. 

Unlike adolescents, children do not usually require structured muscle-strengthening programmes such as weight lifting. Playing in a jungle gym, climbing on playground equipment, and basic gymnastics help increase body strength of kids. Other play-based strength retention activities for kids include hopping, skipping, jumping rope, or running and these activities make their bones stronger. 

How to help your kid retain strength

Your kids’ fitness should have fun ways for them to stay active.

Here are a few children’s strength maintenance tips:

Incorporating things they enjoy in their daily routine will make them stick to it. Add short-duration activities at home like dancing, jumping, skipping, and doing squats throughout the day to boost their strength and endurance. In addition, encourage your child to use active forms of transportation like walking or cycling. 

Parents are the first role models for their children, and they can help shape their attitudes and behaviours. By having an active lifestyle, you can set an example for kids. You can also involve your kids in simple household chores or gardening alongside other physical activities.

Besides that, a balanced diet, including calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, millet, oilseeds, green leafy vegetables, along with Vitamin D, will help increase bone strength naturally.

Ways to sustain strength in kids

Regular physical activity is key to building and maintaining your child’s strength. A mix of aerobics, strength training, and flexibility exercises ensures a comprehensive approach to their physical development. Childhood muscle endurance strategies include spending 60 minutes or more in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity each day. The following may help in daily strength retention for children: 

• Aerobic activities like walking, running, jogging
• Activities like climbing, pulling or pushing (3 days per week) to improve and retain muscle strength in kids
• For bone strength, activities such as jumping or running, at least 3 days per week, help a great deal.

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