WELCOME TO EXERCISE RIGHT FOR KIDS!

Exercise Right for Kids has been developed to help inform parents, coaches, teachers, friends and family of children who may be living with, or at risk of, a chronic condition to exercise safely for a healthier life.

Children should not be held back from being physically active because of any condition, disability or injury. In fact, exercise can play an important role in helping them manage their quality of life and help ease or treat their condition.

Each condition comes with individual traits and complexities, hence the importance for children to exercise right for who they are.

It is crucial that you get in touch with your local Accredited Exercise Physiologist who can provide expert care and exercise prescription for your child’s condition and physical activity needs.

Together let’s get all Australian kids active and healthy!

WHY WOULD YOU TAKE YOUR CHILD TO SEE AN AEP?

If your child has a medical condition or has been identified at being at risk of developing a medical condition and you are concerned about how this may impact their life now and in the future, in particularly their ability to be physically active, than it is important to see an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) for the most up-to-date evidence based advice.

It’s important that the impact of exercise on their medical condition (benefits and considerations) is appropriately addressed when developing a suitable exercise program. The child’s current physical capacity requires assessment and an exercise regime is tailored specifically for the needs and capabilities of the child. It is most important to see an Accredited Exercise Physiologist because they understand their physiological side of medical conditions and the impact of exercise. They can liaise with doctors and other health professionals to ensure that the best outcomes are achieved for each individual. Exercise needs to be fun and enjoyable for it to be adhered to in the long term but it also needs to be purposeful and in-line with best practice guideline and this can be a tricky process to master.

EXERCISE BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN

• Exercise makes your lungs and heart stronger, giving you more energy so you can play for longer.
• Exercise helps blood flow to your brain and organs, so you can concentrate in school.
• Exercise strengthens and stretches your muscles. So you don’t hurt yourself when you’re lifting something heavy.
• Exercise builds strong and healthy bones, helping you stand taller and lighter on your feet.
• Exercise helps with your coordination and reflexes, so you can catch and kick balls or balance on the jungle gym.
• Exercise helps to manage weight, keeping your body lean and healthy.
• Exercise decreases your risk of diseases or illnesses, it even boosts your immune system and can help you avoid getting a cold.
• Regular physical activity in children and adolescents yields immediate health benefits (such as reduced body fat and diminished mental stress) and if persisted, can reduce the risk of illness and disease that can occur in the future as an adult (such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes).

THE VALUE OF AN AEP

AEPs are utilised when working with children that have specific medical conditions or are at significant risk of developing medical conditions where exercise and healthy behaviour change is required as part of their management or prevention.

Examples include children with type I diabetes, blood disorders such as haemophilia, cancers, post viral fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, recovering from illness such as glandular fever, respiratory conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis as well as children that are experiencing eating disorders such as anorexia or are obese, overweight, insulin resistant and at significant risk of developing type II diabetes.

If you have a question to ask, find your local accredited exercise physiologist here.