Children's School Gym Injuries On The Rise

In a story published online today, a new study cites a 150% increase in gym class injuries in children over the last 10 years. From 1997-2007, reported injuries jumped significantly. Although the report doesn't give a definitive answer as to the primary reason for this increase, there is speculation that an increased focus on physical fitness combined with a decrease in school nurses and trained physical education staff in schools (where regular classroom teachers may now be running the gym class) - could be to blame.

Another possible reason for increased injuries could be directly linked to the rise in childhood obesity. Children are heavier than ever before, and are no simply unable to do even the simplest of task without risk of injury. Lack of physical fitness outside of school hours could also be to blame, as students have become less conditioned. In addition, proper hydration, a proper diet and proper stretching can also factor in to the equation.

Whatever the case may be, parents should play a more active role in their child's overall health and at least understand the daily demands your child is undergoing. Knowing when and what your child eats throughout the day, in correlation to when their gym class is - can help better prepare them. Knowing and understanding your child's fitness level also helps to avoid them participating in an activity that may be too strenuous for them.

Physical education is critical to the overall development of your child. Not just physically, but mentally as well.

The article that cited the study concludes with this: "In the gym class of the future, all physical fitness will be achieved through safe & secure usage of the Nintendo Wii." Whereas this has been implemented in fitness centers nationwide as a remedy for getting kids active in physical exercise - we should not be striving to make this the "norm". Kids need exercise via more conventional and traditional means - not through the aid of a video console. Take responsibility and take charge of your child's health and help prevent injury by adhering to some of the aforementioned tasks.