4 Be Active

The aim of this message is to encourage pupils to include more regular and varied activity as a healthy behaviour and realise that it is not necessary to perform vigorous activity in order to gain health benefits.

You don't have to be a sporty type to be an Activater! Going for a walk, even helping with the housework or just playing in the garden, are all effective. Children should vary the types of activity so that all the different muscles are exercised.

Walking is one of the easiest ways of being more active, it is free and is something nearly everyone can do.

Sport is a good way to encourage children to be active. More children would enjoy sport if they didn't have to be the best but can pick sports which they would enjoy and that they can practice and improve. Encouraging a wide variety of sports is a good idea such as football, hockey, basketball, netball, tennis and running.

Sport is not the only form of activity that children can do. Children should be encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities, for example: roller-blading, cycling, skateboarding, walking, swimming, dance and active play.

Why We Need to be Active

A healthy balanced lifestyle combines a good varied diet with being active. Building healthy habits now will help us stay in good shape as adults.

Activity can be described as 'something we do which makes us feel a bit out of breath, makes the heart beat faster, makes us feel tired or slightly warm and sweaty'.

Being active helps us to burn energy (kilojoules or calories), helping us to stay healthy and fit. Physical activity strengthens the bones. This is particularly important during childhood and teenage years when 95% of the body's peak bone mass is determined. Regular exercise can therefore reduce the risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones) in later life.

In the long term participating in regular physical activity helps children:

optimise their physical fitness, health, growth and development

reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life

develop active lifestyles at an early age and encourage the exercise habit.

In the short term the emphasis is on the fact that exercise makes us feel better and it gives us more vitality. It also stresses the enjoyment and feelings of self worth that pupils would get by playing socially with friends.