Stop overprotecting your children — coddling kills their exercise: study

child rearing

by jane harts

No helicopter parenting was flown in this study.

A new study conducted in Australia shows that inviting primary school children to take risks in play can have a positive impact on their physical activity.

The study was published this month in the journal Psychology of sport and exerciseinvestigated the relationship between parental attitudes regarding risk and injury and children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and daily adventurous play.

645 parents of children ages 5 to 12 completed an online survey about risks and injuries and physical activity for their children.

When asked about a range of potential play scenarios, 78% of parents had low risk tolerance, and children’s MVPA was low in this group.

The MVPA goal for children is 60 minutes per day, every day.

The researchers concluded that “children of parents with more positive attitudes toward risk and injury engage in more adventurous play.”

“It’s natural for parents to want to protect their children, but the balance can tip too far,” said study lead author Alecia Gerevine from Coventry University. stated in a statement.

“This study shows that parents who have a relaxed attitude toward risky play are more likely to ensure that their children get the recommended amount of physical activity each day. Adventurous play increases children’s physical fitness. , it helps improve cognitive function, mental health, and it’s also fun.”

The majority of study participants were female at 81%, and the average age of the children was 8.6 years.

Mothers were more concerned about the potential risk of injury than fathers, but overall, parents, on average, felt positively about their children’s “risk engagement in physical activity.”

“Parents need support to provide opportunities for their children to engage in risky play, because this play has a high level of MVPA, in addition to its known benefits such as skill development and mental health. ”, the study authors wrote.

“Interventions need to provide concrete ways for parents, especially mothers, to balance injury concerns with a desire to foster children’s confidence, independence, resilience, and risk management skills. ”

The findings follow a July report from Ireland that found exercise can help fight chronic depression.

This research JAMA network openthe symptoms of depression in people over 50 who suffer from conditions often associated with depression, such as diabetes and heart disease, were reduced by determined exercise.