Exercise for Children
What types of exercise are best for children? My son is ten. He is not overweight, but he is relatively inactive. My daughter is 8, a little overweight, and not particularly physically-oriented. Is cardiovascular and calisthenic exercise the best thing for them right now?
Ideal Exercise for Children Ages 6 to 10: The More Balls, the Better
Ballistic types of activity -- read sports with balls -- of all kinds are best from the time that a child can grab something and run until the time that they reach age 10 or 11. That means soccer, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, hockey (field and ice) and football are all great. Let your child play with as many different balls, sticks, and racquets as possible right now.
Exposure to as many sports as possible is critical at this time, not necessarily specialization in one activity. I'd save specialization for age 14 or 15. Unless your child knows that they want to play professional quidditch, you can wait to spend five hours a day learning how to fly a broomstick until they are older.
Martial Arts and Gymnastics Have the Greatest Transfer to All Other Sports Activities
Gymnastics
Gymnastics and martial arts are also EXCELLENT, and if parents just want a general activity for their child with no mind to fostering specific athletic talent, then these two activities are the best all-around. Regarding gymnastics, it should be pursued with a view toward activity for its own sake, not producing a national gymnast.
Martial Arts / Grappling / Wrestling
Regarding martial arts, it should be a mixed martial art (ideally equal parts grappling and striking). Tai Kwon Do is excellent; make sure the instruction involves actually striking targets such as pads or bags. "Air-strike" martial arts, where every punch & kick is done in the air, is very bad for the joints, and does not demand nearly as much from the CNS. Grappling or wrestling are also excellent alternatives.
Incidentally, because of this particular boy's schedule w/ Hebrew school, martial arts may provide the best answer. Limited weight training would also be good, but my opinion is that children should start weight training once they've found a sport that they wish to excel at, or once they’ve reached the age where play is not as important as formalized training. The appropriate age for this transition is very individual.
