How often should muscle and bone strengthening activities be included in children’s physical activity?

Muscle and bone strengthening activities are essential components of children's physical activity as they contribute significantly to the development of strength, endurance, and overall health. The recommendation for children is to engage in muscle and bone strengthening activities at least three days a week.

This level of frequency ensures that children can continuously build their strength and support proper bone development, aligning with guidelines from health organizations that aim to combat issues like obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle. Activities that qualify as muscle and bone strengthening include climbing, jumping, playing on playground equipment, and participating in sports that require running and jumping.

Engaging in these activities at least three days a week helps to set a foundation for a lifelong habit of regular physical activity while maximizing benefits for metabolic health, muscle function, and bone density. This frequency allows for adequate recovery, while also being frequent enough to achieve the desired health outcomes.