Physical fitness is an essential component of a child's growth and development, especially for those “indoor” kids. It has been scientifically proven that kids who participate in weight bearing sports develop stronger bones and more muscle mass that will stay with them their entire lives. Not to mention higher success of weight management into adulthood.
When it comes to improving overall fitness in children, certain sports stand out for their ability to help kids develop into well-rounded athletes. These sports contain repetitive movements that are proven to help develop children’s cardiovascular health, muscle mass, and bone density. Below we will talk about the top 5 sports to achieve these physical successes in our kids.
1. Soccer: Soccer is a fantastic sport for children. It enhances cardiovascular endurance, builds lower-body strength, and improves coordination. Moreover, soccer promotes teamwork and communication skills, making it a great choice for social development.
2. Swimming: Swimming is a full-body workout that enhances cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength. It also teaches children water safety and promotes a lifelong love of swimming as a form of exercise, which is helpful when their joints inevitably age and become less durable.
3. Gymnastics/Cheerleading: Gymnastics and Cheerleading focuses on flexibility, balance, and strength. It helps children develop strong core muscles, agility, and body awareness. Gymnastics also teaches discipline and perseverance. While this sport can be extreme and result in injuries, my personal experience is something I am always grateful for. My muscle memory at 42 years old is incredible, especially on those days that I can’t pick something up off the ground without feeling my age but later that day (usually during the CrossFit Kids class) I can still nail a perfect cartwheel.
4. Basketball: Basketball is an excellent sport for improving cardiovascular health, agility, and hand-eye coordination. It encourages children to work on their speed and endurance while learning teamwork and sportsmanship.
5. CrossFit Kids: Of course we have to include CrossFit Kids. CrossFit incorporates elements of weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and cardio workouts. CrossFit Kids helps children build strength, endurance, and flexibility. Moreover, it fosters a love for physical activity in a gym environment and teaches the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle from an early age. In particular, this sport stands out for its focus on functional fitness. It emphasizes movements that mimic daily activities, helping children become more physically capable in their everyday lives. It also emphasizes proper technique and safety, reducing the risk of injury.
These top 5 sports offer a well-rounded approach to improving overall fitness in children. Each sport offers unique benefits, from cardiovascular health to strength and agility, and also imparts valuable life skills. Encouraging children to participate in these activities can set them on a path to a healthy, active, and fulfilling life.
One thing to keep in mind is that it’s important for the child to look forward to participating in their chosen sport. If they rather just hit the bowling lanes and perfect their strike, it's still benefiting them and their future adult bodies and minds.