Recently, there has been a lot of media coverage about the increasing lack of physical activity and declining well-being among young people. Fewer and fewer young people—only one-quarter of 15-year-olds—meet the physical activity guidelines. EasyFit is helping to promote physical activity among young people by offering free summer workout scholarships.
The Impact of Physical Activity on Youth Health
According to the recommendations, young people should engage in at least one hour of varied physical activity each day in a manner appropriate for their age. The recommendations state that activities that raise the heart rate and cause shortness of breath, as well as activities that strengthen muscles, should be performed three times a week.
Intense physical activity during youth predicts an active lifestyle in adulthood as well; therefore, physical activity—and, equally, physical inactivity—during childhood and adolescence have an impact on adulthood. For example, physical activity during adolescence can increase mobility later in life.
Just as in adulthood, physical activity during adolescence also has positive effects on health. Physical activity affects adolescents’ health in the following ways, among others:
- Improves health and well-being
- Prevents diseases and the emergence of their risk factors
- It is important for brain development
- Develops the musculoskeletal system
- Increase bone and muscle mass, strength, and coordination
- Improves mobility and balance
- Strengthens a positive self-image
The lack of physical activity among young people will lead to significant costs and changes for society in the future. We may soon even find ourselves in a situation where few people in their fifties are able to perform physical labor. However, preventive measures can bring about major changes.
Is working out at the gym healthy for young people?
From time to time, you hear claims that working out at the gym has a negative impact on height growth or other aspects of a child’s development. As long as you ensure that the child eats and gets enough rest throughout the day in addition to working out, working out at the gym does not negatively affect a young person’s development.
However, every young person develops at their own pace, and it’s important to keep this in mind when starting weight training. Whether they have participated in any other form of exercise or sport in the past also plays a role. If gym training is a young person’s first form of exercise, it’s a good idea to start under the guidance of a professional. To help them get started, young people receive introductory guidance and a gym program.
The same principles apply to young people starting a gym routine as to other beginners, regardless of age: proceed slowly and in a controlled manner.
EasyFit and LadyLine Join the Effort – 1,500 Free Workout Scholarships for Young People
The EasyFit and LadyLine fitness centers aim to address this issue and offer young people an opportunity to start exercising with a low barrier to entry. So, for the second time, a total of 1,500 summer workout scholarships will be distributed across 40 EasyFit and LadyLine centers, allowing young people to work out for free during summer break, from June 1 to August 15, 2024. The campaign aims to introduce physical activity to young people who would not otherwise exercise and who have no prior experience with gyms.
More Information: Youth Training Scholarships | EasyFit
Sources:
UKK Institute: Physical Activity Affects the Development of Children and Adolescents
Höntsä Guide: Physical Inactivity Among Children and Adolescents—Risks and Solutions