A sedentary body can, over time, become obese, sick, and diseased. Researchers at the University of South Australia analyzed the change in running speed and cardiovascular endurance in children aged 9 to 17 years from data collected between 1964 and 2010. Results show that running speed and endurance gradually declined as the years progressed (American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Tomkinson, 2013). Other sources (Bacil et al., 2015; Dishman et al., 2015; University of Strathclyde, 2019; University of Jyvaskyla, 2019) concur with Tomkinson (2013). This decline can be attributed to many reasons, including the prevalence of gaming and other sedentary habits and the overconsumption of sugar-filled drinks. Although the jury is out on the precise effect of obsessive gaming on health, any activity that limits one\u2019s ability to engage in regular physical activity will negatively affect cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The overall health trend for kids does not look good. Kids are getting fatter and becoming less active. A host of technological advances and behavioral changes such as no longer walking or cycling to school have contributed to our current health crisis. Kids need to get active. We are not talking about long-term athletic development or upper-level sporting camps; we are simply discussing the need for greater movement opportunities. Numerous governing bodies in the United States, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2015) recommend that children get 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity every day in the form of running, jumping, skipping, cycling, and muscle strengthening. The American Heart Association (2020), on the other hand, recommends 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, three or four times per week.<\/p>
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