SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
24/7 HELPLINE (903) 212-7500
  • PATIENT PORTAL LOGIN

PhyNet Health PhyNet Health

  • Home
  • Find a Clinic
    • Hughes Springs, TX
    • Longview, TX
    • Jefferson, TX
    • Kilgore, TX
    • Lindale, TX
    • Linden, TX
    • Gladewater, TX
    • Lone Star, TX
    • Tatum, TX
    • Marshall, TX
  • Health Services
    • Primary Care Services
    • Physical Therapy / Rehab
    • Allergy Testing & Treatment
    • Chronic Care Management
    • Remote Monitoring Program
    • Virtual Visit
  • Resources
    • MedlinePlus Wiki
      • Health Topics
    • Home Health Coordination
    • Transitions of Care
    • Insurance Help
  • About Phynet
    • About Phynet
    • PhyNet News
    • Better Together Stories
    • Careers
  • Billing

Health Topics

Skip navigation

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You
  • Health Topics
  • Drugs & Supplements
  • Genetics
  • Medical Tests
  • Medical Encyclopedia
  • About MedlinePlus
  • About MedlinePlus
  • What's New
  • Site Map
  • Customer Support
  • Health Topics
  • Drugs & Supplements
  • Genetics
  • Medical Tests
  • Medical Encyclopedia
Español
You Are Here:
Home →
Health Topics →
Exercise for Children
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/exerciseforchildren.html

Exercise for Children

On this page

Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here

Learn More

  • Related Issues
  • Specifics

See, Play and Learn

  • No links available

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

  • Reference Desk
  • Find an Expert

For You

  • Children
  • Girls
  • Teenagers

Summary

Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise has many benefits for children. It can help them:

  • Feel less stressed
  • Feel better about themselves
  • Feel more ready to learn in school
  • Keep a healthy weight
  • Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints
  • Sleep better at night

As kids spend more time watching TV, they spend less time running and playing. Parents should limit TV, video game and computer time. Parents can set a good example by being active themselves. Exercising together can be fun for everyone. Competitive sports can help kids stay fit. Walking or biking to school, dancing, bowling and yoga are some other ways for kids to get exercise.

Start Here

  • How Can I Help My Child Be More Physically Active? (American Heart Association)
  • Kids and Exercise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Physical Activity for Children: An Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: 2nd edition (Department of Health and Human Services) - PDF

Related Issues

  • Compulsive Exercise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Dehydration (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Everyday Ideas to Move More From the National Institutes of Health (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
  • Fitness for Kids Who Don't Like Sports (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers From the National Institutes of Health Easy-to-Read (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • Motivating Kids to Be Active (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Specifics

  • Fitness and Your 13- to 18-year-old (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Fitness and Your 3-to 5-Year Old (Nemours Foundation)
  • Fitness and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Exercise for Children From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Youth Sports From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Web-based intervention program to foster need-supportive behaviors in physical education teachers...
  • Article: Short-term bridging and bird-dog exercise programs did not enhance trunk performance...
  • Article: The impact of physical activity variety on physical activity participation.
  • Exercise for Children -- see more articles

Reference Desk

  • Definitions of Health Terms: Fitness From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)

Find an Expert

  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases From the National Institutes of Health
  • President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

Children

  • Fitness (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
  • Why Exercise Is Cool (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Girls

  • Types of Physical Activity (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)

Teenagers

  • Compulsive Exercise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Easy Exercises for Teens (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Sports and Exercise Safety (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
  • Why Exercise Is Wise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Exercise for Children

Related Health Topics

  • Benefits of Exercise
  • Exercise and Physical Fitness
  • Sports Fitness

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

  • About MedlinePlus
  • What's New
  • Site Map
  • Customer Support
  • Subscribe to RSSRSS
  • Connect with NLM
  • NLM Web Policies
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility
  • Guidelines for Links
  • Viewers & Players
  • HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
  • MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs
  • For Developers
National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
Last updated June 10, 2019
Return to top

Patients

  • Find a Clinic
  • Health Services
  • Complex Case Management
  • MA / Medicare Assistance

Quick Links

  • Billing Information
  • Careers
  • About Phynet
  • PhyNet News

Network Links

  • PrimeCareHomeHealth.com
  • PrimeCareNet.com
  • PrimeCareManagers.com
  • Core-Rehab.com

Home Office

4002 Technology Center Longview TX 75605
Phone: (903) 247-0484
Fax: (903) 247-0485
[email protected]
  • PrimeCareHomeHealth.com
  • PrimeCareNet.com
  • PrimeCareManagers.com
  • Core-Rehab.com
  • GET SOCIAL

© 2021 PhyNet Health • All rights reserved
YOUR LIFE. YOUR CHOICE.

TOP