Concerns about the level of physical activity among young Americans is growing. Six to 17 year olds should engage in at least one hour of physical activity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, but almost three-quarters of American children aged five to ten years old do not get enough exercise on a daily basis. Worse still, physical activity decreases as they get older. Combine this with the fact that 40% of a child’s daily calorie intake comprises so-called empty calories from added sugars and solid fats, and the result is that as much as one-third of children are overweight, according to a 2010 statistic by Statistica.
So it is little wonder that more and more parents are opting for gymnastic lessons for kids. In 2013 there were close to five million participants over the age of six taking part in gymnastics in the United States. From beginning tumbling classes to competitive level, there are a variety of pre-school and older gymnastics classes for kids available.
The American College of Sports Medicine has deemed plyometric exercises such as tumbling and vaulting, both of which form part of gymnastics training, to be a safe, beneficial and fun for children. Strength is increased as a result of regular gymnastic training and results in better posture and improved balance as well as the development of lean, toned muscles, according to the International Gymnastics School.
In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, the self-efficacy and self-esteem of physically active 10 to 16 year olds is higher than that of their peers who do not exercise. The more time spent being active the higher both self-esteem and self-efficacy are. The benefits of enrolling a child in gymnastic lessons for kids are numerous and span the range of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
