An increase in time spent in physical education class helps kids develop stronger muscles and that increasing weekly physical activity does not increase the risk of bone fractures, says a new Swedish study. [1] There is only one problem: P.E. time in the U.S. is going the other way.
In the study, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, a large group of students in one Swedish school received increased physical education for 60 minutes per day or 200 minutes per week for 2 years, while a control group continued to exercise the standard 40 minutes per day.
Researchers then compared the two groups using several measurements, including body weight and height, concentric isokinetic knee extension to test muscle strength, vertical jump height, lifestyle and physical activity habits.
"Regular weight-bearing exercise has been shown to consistently improve bone mass, structure and strength during childhood and adolescence," said the author, Bjarne Löfgren, M.D., of Lund University in Sweden.
"It can also help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal diseases later on in adult years."
"The results of this study showed that the increase in school-based physical activity time produced greater muscle mass and/or strength," he said. "This could have important implications on public health guidelines and recommendations for school-based physical activity."
Dr. Löfgren's study complements a growing body of evidence linking students' physical activity levels to increased academic achievement [1]. [2]
The problem is that a declining number of children and adolescents in the United States get anything close to 60 minutes a day of physical education, much less the 40 minutes a day that is standard in Sweden. The adverse health consequences of the decline are enormous.
As a 2009 story [2] published on ESPN Outside the LInes notes, "Put simply, at a time when every penny is being pinched by every school in every district in every county in every state, physical education is taking a beating. The experts and educators say there is no doubt that the erosion of P.E. has been a major contributor to the skyrocketing obesity rates."
As the story goes on to point out, the childhood obesity statistics are numbing:
Equally startling, says ESPN, are the numbers reflecting the state of P.E. programs in public schools across the country:
For more on the US Physical Activity Guidelines, click here [3].
Source: The American College of Sports Medicine.
Footnotes:
1. Löfgren B, Daly R, Nilsson J-A, Denker M, Karlsson Magnus K. An Increase in School-Based Physical Education Increases Muscle Strength in Children. Med Sci Sports Exer 2013;45(5):997-1003. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827c0889
2. CDC. Physical Inactivity and Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors and Academic achievement; CDC. The association between school based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. DHHS; 2010
Links:
[1] https://momsteam.com/node/3081
[2] http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=4015831
[3] https://momsteam.com/node/3241
[4] https://momsteam.com/health-safety/physical-activity-guidelines-active-children-adolescents
[5] https://momsteam.com/health-safety/childs-physical-activity-level-may-predict-future-heart-health
[6] https://momsteam.com/health-safety/physical-fitness-linked-better-standardized-test-results-in-middle-school-study
[7] https://momsteam.com/5-7/more-they-burn-better-they-learn-says-centers-disease-control
[8] https://momsteam.com/health-safety/parents-teachers-want-mandatory-health-pe-classes-says-poll