Being active during childhood can have long term positive effects on heart health
| Jun 13, 2019, 11:14 IST
As technology has progressed it has also made things easier for people. Everything is just a button's click away. But if there's one thing that technology has made worse for people it has to be physical activity. There was a time when children would rush out to play as soon as they had the time to do so but now they spend most of their time glued to their mobile or tab screens. Not only is this bad for their physical fitness levels but it can even lead to other health issues later on life. A new study has found that children aged as young as 3 can have healthy heart health later on in life if they're active from a young age.
The study was conducted on 418 children all of whom were aged between 3-5 years. The children's health was measured in terms of cardiovascular fitness, arterial stiffness and blood pressure every year for a period of three years. The children were also asked to wear an accelerometer around their waist for one week every year so as to help keep a track of their physical fitness levels.
The study revealed that even at age 3 being physically active could have a rather positive effect on the children's heart health and blood vessel health. As we grow older our arteries start to stiffen. However, this process can be slowed down if one is active during their childhood years. The positive effects of the study were evident in both boys and girls however when it came to blood pressure, it was the girls who had an upper hand.
Lead author of the study, Nicole Proudfoot said, "Many of us tend to think cardiovascular disease hits in older age, but arteries begin to stiffen when we are very young." "It's important to start any kind of preventative measures early. We need to ensure small children have many opportunities to be active to keep their hearts and blood vessels as healthy as possible," she added.
"This research suggests that intensity matters," says Brian Timmons, an associate professor who supervised the research. "Children benefit the most from energetic play, which means getting out of breath by playing games such as tag. And the more, the better." He also added that children needn't be physically active in just one go, they could spread it throughout the day as that would make it easier for them to stay on their toes for longer. Stay tuned for more updates.
The study was conducted on 418 children all of whom were aged between 3-5 years. The children's health was measured in terms of cardiovascular fitness, arterial stiffness and blood pressure every year for a period of three years. The children were also asked to wear an accelerometer around their waist for one week every year so as to help keep a track of their physical fitness levels.
The study revealed that even at age 3 being physically active could have a rather positive effect on the children's heart health and blood vessel health. As we grow older our arteries start to stiffen. However, this process can be slowed down if one is active during their childhood years. The positive effects of the study were evident in both boys and girls however when it came to blood pressure, it was the girls who had an upper hand.
Lead author of the study, Nicole Proudfoot said, "Many of us tend to think cardiovascular disease hits in older age, but arteries begin to stiffen when we are very young." "It's important to start any kind of preventative measures early. We need to ensure small children have many opportunities to be active to keep their hearts and blood vessels as healthy as possible," she added.
"This research suggests that intensity matters," says Brian Timmons, an associate professor who supervised the research. "Children benefit the most from energetic play, which means getting out of breath by playing games such as tag. And the more, the better." He also added that children needn't be physically active in just one go, they could spread it throughout the day as that would make it easier for them to stay on their toes for longer. Stay tuned for more updates.