Benefits of Physical Activity

Section A: What's Your Game Plan?

Learn the science behind how regular physical activity positively impacts us physically, mentally, socially, and academically. Along the way, you will get tips and information about different activities that can help you reach their recommended 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day.

Various types of physical activity should be part of your game plan. But, what are they, how are they different, and why are they essential for your health?

Aerobic

Activity

Muscle–Strengthening

Activity

Bone–Strengthening

Activity

Moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activities should make up most of your daily game plan. Aerobic activities involve rhythmically moving large muscles.

Muscle-strengthening activities should also be part of your game plan. Your muscles are working hard to hold against an applied force or weight for a short period of time. This can be done with specific equipment, like weights and resistance bands, or by using your body weight.

Bone-strengthening activities should also be part of your game plan. The force that is put on the bones promotes bone growth and strength. That force is mostly from the impact with the ground.

Examples include hiking, biking, brisk walking, running, jumping rope, swimming, mowing the lawn, canoeing, skateboarding, and playing many sports.

Examples include push-ups, sit-ups. Wall climbing, squats, lunges, and games like tug-of-war.

Examples include jumping rope, running, skipping and hopping, and playing many sports.

Regular physical activity can benefit your body.

· Bone-strengthening activities, like running and jumping, develop strong bones.

· Physical Activity can reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

· Physical Activity should be fun

Regular physical activity also has many benefits related to learning.

· Physically active students tend to have better grades.

· Being physically active can help improve your focus, concentration, and memory.

Physical Activity can benefit how you feel about yourself and how you interact with others.

· Regular participation in aerobic physical activity may help improve your mood and general well-being.

· Physical Activity can help provide opportunities to spend time with family and friends.

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Section B: Benefits of Daily Activity

Physical Activity and Rest VIDEO

The promotion of daily physical activity for youth and adolescents has been more of a priority concerning physical education. You must have a plan and goal of regular physical activity to maintain your fitness and health. Building physical Activity in your early life will have benefits for your future.

The following are a few benefits of daily physical activity.

· Improve health-related fitness

· Promotes learning

· Boost physical wellness

· Prolong optimal health

· Improve mental health and mood

Parents and guardians can encourage and benefit physical Activity at home. Below are some tips:

· Provide opportunities to be active in a safe area

· Provide equipment and supplies

· Put limits on screen time

· Participate in physical activity with your child

· Develop good physicals to build confidence

The Most Important Hour of Your Day

It's a fact: physical Activity helps to keep you healthy. But sometimes, physical Activity can seem like hard work! But did you know that with at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity, you can experience most of the health benefits? And it's worth it. Here are four significant benefits of physical activity.

1. Did you know that physical activity boosts mental wellness? Participating in regular physical activity can relieve anxiety and depression. You may not only notice a "feel-good sensation" immediately following your physical activity, but most people also note an improvement in general well-being as physical activity becomes a part of their daily routine.

2. Did you know you could learn better in school if you participate in physical activity? Research shows that students who are regularly physically active tend to do better on academic tests and in class.

3. Did you know that physical activity can make you healthier? Physical Activity can help lower the risk of heart disease, overweight and obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

4. Did you know physical activity may prolong your optimal health? Regular physical activity helps the body stay healthy and function well. One study suggests that people who are physically active and at a healthy weight live on average about seven years longer than those who are not active and are obese.

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Section C: Physical Activity Pyramid

The Physical Activity Pyramid guidelines are provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services says that young adults should be active at least 60 minutes a day. The majority of that Activity should come from moderate to vigorous activities. Muscular-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities should take place at least three days per week.

Below is a list of physical activities on the pyramid with examples.

1. Lifestyle Activity: walking, bicycling, skateboarding, housework, yardwork, playing active games, dancing, work-active jobs

2. Aerobic Activity: aerobic dance, aerobic gym equipment, aerobic bicycling, aerobic running, aerobic skating

3. Aerobic Sports: field sports (baseball, soccer, football), court sports (basketball, volleyball, hockey), racquet sports

4. Muscle and Bone Activity: gymnastics, cheer, drill teams, track and field, weightlifting, wrestling, skipping, running, jumping

5. Flexibility: martial arts, stretching, yoga, ballet

6. Rest: schoolwork, homework, reading, talking, working, playing music, sleeping

Unit Activity Log

Throughout this course, you will be given more examples of warm-ups, exercise activities, and cooldowns. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please message your teacher. Below is a chart provided by the American Heart Association that you can utilize to complete your "Unit Activity Logs."