As a family we use to swim or should I say we use to participate in water play in the pool and or spa every day or at least every second day before the pools closed due to the impact and threat of the Coronavirus. As an Exercise Physiologist I had a million of exercises I could do during Sydney’s lock down with my three daughters … and we did! We focused on a range of physical activities and skills such as running, skipping, hopping, balancing with one leg in the air on a scooter descending down ramps, ‘hoola hooping’, riding a bike, throwing and catching different sized balls, soccer skills and gymnastics. I went out and purchased our very own gymnastics beam and bars which I can say certainly helped our family with frequent active breaks during home schooling to improve our concentration.

The benefits of physical activity are scientifically evident and especially vivid when in isolation. I am passionate about physical activity in children because it is easy to see how fast children learn and benefit from one session!

Our children learn new skills that improve their self-confidence. I believe the greatest gift we can give our beloved children is to, cultivate their belief in themselves! With physical activity children can increase their self-efficacy immediately by executing a new skill. With positive reinforcement, they are determined to practice new talents which enhance their coordination, balance, cardiovascular fitness, endurance, strength, and flexibility. These golden benefits are in addition to improving their lung capacity and their heart efficiency! This principle concurs with my every belief that Prevention is best! Prevention of chronic illness such as type 2 diabetes is preventable which means we can stop it from developing if we live a healthy lifestyle. Wow, now you know some of the magical benefits of exercise! The benefits of Physical activity really are a medicine and if it were a pill, we would take it! So let’s cultivate an enthusiasm for health in our children from birth. In fact, why can’t we facilitate this enthusiasm of health when we are creating life? Let’s help inform women of the benefits of participating in physical activity during pregnancy! During a healthy pregnancy women CAN participate in physical activity (I can write a new blog for these health benefits and physical activity guidelines).

Read also… Keeping Your Patient’s On Track

Did I mention that physical activity in a child’s everyday life will improve their QOL – Quality of Life! They will be healthier and happier and have improved concentration at school. At Mia’s Health we help children and adults with Autism and there is a plethora of benefits from our exercise physiology sessions. The main benefits that carers report to me are improved mood and concentration when partaking in other therapies such as speech pathology and psychology!! That means the children and adults with autism are happier. Their behaviour changes because we have exerted our energy throughout a one hour session and their mood and attentiveness improves. Our clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are often non-verbal or speak very little which means they may be limited to fitting into community activities, social interactions and sports play.

The benefits of exercise for children are clear! Children with autism participating in regular exercise physiology session especially enhance they coordination, motor planning, strength, balance, aerobic capacity, gross and fine motor skills.

Exercise increases blood flow to our brains and organs. Exercise makes our muscles stronger and helps our growing bones too.

Fundamentally Exercise makes us feel happier, healthier, stronger and confident!

Hi there,

My name is Mia Jay an Accredited Exercise Physiologist from Sydney and I specialise in International Public Health. I love collaborations that make us happier and healthier. This is my first blog dedicated to the Allied Health Community.

I hope you enjoy reading my first blog touching on the benefits of children participating in exercise.”

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