Vigorous Exercise for Children

    If your child is interested in a competitive sports program,
encourage him or her to participate.  A study from France shows
that a 13-week training program caused 10 and 11-year-old
children to develop significantly stronger hearts and an increased
ability to take in and use oxygen.   Boys and girls exercised at
greater than 80 percent of their maximum heart rate for one hour,
three times a week.  The girls gained the same improvement
from exercise as the boys (European Journal of Clinical
Investigation, Volume 33, Issue 3, 2003). 
    Their resting heart rates decreased, signifying that their
hearts could pump more blood with each beat, and they had a
marked increase in their ability to exercise intensely.  This study
shows that children can train as vigorously as adults.  However,
another study showed that 90 percent of fourth to sixth grade
children in a cross country racing program did not compete in
that sport high school.  Children who train for competitive sports
should be allowed to take days off each week and have plenty of
time to be children.
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