Small children need at least two hours of exercise daily

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A young child requires at least two hours of brisk and aerobic physical activities a day, according to new children's health development and exercise recommendations issued by the Young Finland Association (Nuori Suomi).
      The exercise does not have to be of long duration, but children must have the opportunity to practise their motoric skills diversely in different environments. Furthermore, the physical activities should include sessions which improve mobility and bone and muscular strength twice a week.
     
These recommendations were handed over to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Tuula Haatainen (SDP), and the Minister of Culture, Tanja Karpela (Centre), in Helsinki on Tuesday.
      "A child has an inner desire to move. Exercise is a natural way of getting to know oneself alongside one's body and surroundings", says researcher Arja Sääkslahti from the University of Jyväskylä.
      Sääkslahti has studied the physical activities of small children in her doctoral thesis.
     
If children learn to exercise at a young age, they continue to lead this lifestyle in their adulthood.
      However, young children's daily amount of exercise has significantly decreased over the last ten years. Only one in three get enough physical activities. Computers and video games have had a particular impact on this area.
      The negative trend is reflected in the rising figures for childhood osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes in adults.
      According to Sääkslahti, regular exercise does not have to involve having a raft of different hobbies.
     
Floorball, climbing, roller skating, and skateboarding are the firm favourites among the children at Sarvasto kindergarten in Jollas, Helsinki.
      "I dig all sorts of physical activities", says 6-year-old Elias Suorsa. His favourite form of exercise is ice-skating with mum, dad, or his big brother during the winter.
      Six-year-old Joonatan Lehtonen admits that he plays computer games and Playstation at home. His favourite physical activities are ice hockey and skating.
      However, one sport stands above all others at the Sarvasto nursery: football is played on the playground every day.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Officials set voluntary guidelines for advertising targeting children (13.10.2005)
  Campaign launched against child obesity (6.4.2005)

Links:
  Young Finland Association website

Helsingin Sanomat