Fit kids perform better

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"Approximately 40 per cent of Canadian children have at least one risk factor for heart disease: reduced fitness due to inactive lifestyle." -- Dr. Graham Fishburne

How well do Canadian schools respond to the physical needs of this country's children? Not very well, according to the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. According to CAHPER:

- Children spend on average 25 to 30 hours behind a school desk every week.

- Most schools offer less than 1.5 hours of physical education instruction a week.

- An emphasis on academic subjects in schools means children get only about one-half the amount of exercise required to maintain effectively functioning cardiovascular systems.

- Only six per cent of children aged 10 to 19 are active on a regular basis.

- By the time they reach the 15 to 19 age group, only 24 per cent of girls and 50 per cent of boys can achieve a recommended level of aerobic fitness.

According to Roger Passmore, director of Quality Daily Physical Education at CAHPER, it takes just 30 minutes of physical education integrated into a school's curriculum each day to improve the fitness and well-being of our children. Studies show that children who are physically active are in better health, have less stress, mature more quickly, are more independent, play better with others, are less aggressive and achieve better academically.

Physical activity helps improve a child's fine motor skills, used in handwriting, drawing, typing or playing a musical instrument. It also helps improve a child's organization, planning and problem-solving abilities. And schools offering daily programs find that students have better self-esteem and a more positive attitude towards physical activity, school and themselves.

For more information, write to CAHPER at 1600 James Naismith Dr., Gloucester, ON. K1B 54N or call (613) 748-5622.