Benefits of physical activity for young people

Physical activity has important beneficial effects on the current and future health of children and young people. This message has been highlighted in summaries of relevant evidence in the report of the Chief Medical Officer (2004) and by Biddle, Gorely & Stensel (2004).

Potential benefits are:

• Healthy growth and development of the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems.
• Maintenance of health energy balance (in order to encourage a healthy weight).
• Avoidance of risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as high blood pressure and abnormal lipid profile.
• Opportunities for social interaction, achievement and mental well-being.

Other possible benefits:

• Some evidence suggests that physical activity in childhood may be related to general cognitive functioning and academic achievement in school (Sibley & Etnier, 2003)
• In addition, active children are less likely to smoke or to use alcohol or illegal drugs than active children (Physical Activity Task Force, 2002).

Being physically active as a child may lead to improved health status in adulthood

If young people emerge from their school years feeling confident about their physical skills, bodies and their ability to participate in physical activities this may result in them being more physically active throughout adulthood. There is currently limited evidence on the tracking of physical activity from childhood to adulthood. However, children who are inactive are very likely to become inactive adults (National Association for Sport and Physical Education, 2004).

Potential benefits are:

• Maintenance of optimal body weight in childhood, thus reducing the risk of obesity in adulthood.
• Maximisation of bone development which can reduce the later risk of osteoporosis. Appropriate activity can lead to 5-15% increases in bone mineral density.
• Maintenance of childhood aerobic fitness which potentially has a beneficial effect on adult risk of cardiovascular disease.