Physical Activity: 30-Minutes A Day

In-line skating, bicycling, swimming, walking, or playing soccer whatever the activity, adolescents and young adults benefit from physical activity. You don’t have to train for a triathlon to be physically fit. Just by turning off the TV. or computer and going for a 30 minute brisk walk or playing 15 to 20 minutes of an intense basketball game regularly is very beneficial to your health. Longer activity sessions are even more beneficial to your health; although, excessive amounts of physical activity can lead to injuries, bone weakening and menstrual abnormalities for young women.

Physical fitness is a preventive treatment to diseases and injuries that affect girls and boys in their youth and as they age. A daily routine of moderate physical activity strengthens and maintains the adolescent body by helping to:

• build healthy bones, muscles and joints,
• control weight, build lean muscle and reduce fat, and
• prevent or delay the development of high blood pressure and helps reduce blood pressure in some adolescents with hypertension.

How do you fit 30 minutes of daily exercise into your already busy schedule of school, homework, chores, and spending time with your family? Here are a few suggestions:

• Gym class - take a gym class when offered at school, come prepared and participate in all activities even if it is not your favorite sport and play hard.
• Turn family time together into fun physical active times together. Take a walk with your mom or dad, or get the whole family to play basketball or soccer.
• Involve your friends in physically activity where everyone can participate.
• Join an extracurricular program at school or at a community recreation center.

If regular physical activity is a struggle for you or you have physical conditions that concern you, ask your health care provider to recommend the appropriate physical activity.

Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion