Chapter 5
Considerations Regarding
Physical Activity for Children
and Youth
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
2007 Data on Children
• Obesity rates among children have risen from
5% in early 1970’s to more than 18% today. Over
the past decade obesity prevalence has doubled
in ages 2-5 and tripled in ages 6-11. Most Recent
Data
• Rates of asthma have doubled from 1980’s
• Rates of type II diabetes may be as high as
43%.
• Thus, there has been a dramatic rise in the
number of children who are now coping with a
chronic health condition
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Effects of Health Status and Physical Activity
on Growth and Development
• Growth Status is used as an overall health
marker for children
• Typically growth status is determined by
comparing the height and weight of the child
against normative data.
•Growth may be retarded due to malnutrition or
disease.
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Otherwise healthy children may experience
impaired skeletal, muscular, functional
development, and obesity if they are not
physically active.
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Aerobic Activity
–Typically measured on Treadmill or Cycle
Ergometer
–Maximal Aerobic considered the best
indicator, but peak VO2 is most suited for this
population (many will have difficulty achieving a true plateau
in VO2 )
–There should be little difference in absolute
VO2 (L/min) between the sexes. (male values are
approximately 20% greater by late teens)
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Normal Responses to Aerobic Activity
–Children have greater maximal and submaximal
heart rate at given exercise intensities
compared to adults.
•Children under the age of 10 yrs frequently have
maximal heart rates exceeding 210 beats per
minute, whereas the average 20 year old has a
maximal heart rate of approx 195 beats per minute.
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Normal Responses to Aerobic Activity
–Children and adults differ in regard to resting
respiratory rates
•Resting breathing rates decreases ( volume
increases ) progressively during childhood resulting
in lower relative minute ventilation as children age.
•Absolute minute ventilation increases, and
maximum breathing frequency (ventilations per
minute) declines as children age.
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Thermoregulatory Responses to Aerobic Activity
–Children have decrease sweating rates
–Slower to acclimatize to exercising in the
heat
–Experience a greater rise in core temperature
–Thus, children are more susceptible to heat
related illness compared to adults, and have a
decreased ability to exercise efficiently in the
heat
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Thermoregulatory Guidelines
–Children must be acclimatized slowly to
warmer climates
–Children should have supervised hydration
(every 15-20 minutes) and forced “rest”
intervals in hot environments
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•BP Responses to Aerobic Activity
–Exercise SBP responses are similar but of less
magnitude in children compared to adults ( 23mmHg vs. 6-8 mmHg SBP / MET)
–Regulation of intensity is difficult with THR,
better with RPE, if child is > 8yrs. The “talk
test” is a good method of guiding exercise
intensity in children
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Aerobic Exercise Testing in Children
–Children can achieve steady state work faster
than adults, so treadmill protocols using 2-3
minute stages are appropriate.
–Test Protocols should be designed to last
between 8-12 minutes (Peak Vo2)
–Children rate RPE values lower for submaximal
exercise than adults
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Guidelines on Exercise Testing in Children
–(see article highlights)
– See also ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and
Prescription
•Benefits of Exercise Testing in Children
–Documenting any impairment in cardiac or pulmonary
function.
–Detecting and managing exercise induced asthma
–Detecting myocardial ischemia
–Assessing Physical Work Capacity
–Assessing the results of rehabilitation programs
Chapter 5
Physical Activity and Youth
•Benefits of Exercise Testing in Children (cont.)
–Documenting functional changes during the course of
a progressive disease.
–Providing indications for surgery, therapy or
additional tests
–Assessing cardiac rate, rhythm, and blood pressure
response
–Assessing exercise-related symptoms
–Evaluating the effects of therapy
–Increasing the “exercise confidence” of child and
parents
Chapter 5
Exercise Management Principles
Anaerobic Exercise
– Anaerobic Power:
• 1) Capacity is lower than adults, both absolute
and relative measures.
• 2) Capacity increases throughout childhood and
adolescence and peaks in early adulthood.
Chapter 5
Exercise Management Principles
Neuromuscular Function
– Strength may be improved in both sexes
prior to puberty due to neuromuscular
adaptations
– Significant changes in strength and muscle
size in males can occur during the time of
peak height velocity (puberty).
Chapter 5
Exercise Management Principles
Psychological – Social Function
– Physical activity has a positive impact on:
•
•
•
•
1) Self-concept
2) Self-Efficacy
3) Self-Esteem
4) Depression
Chapter 5
Exercise Management Principles
Selected Diseases and Disorders of Children
and Youth.
This is FYI, at this point. We will discuss each
pathology later in the semester and the exercise
prescription models (precautions and
modifications) are similar for adults and
children.
END.
Chapter 5