How NOT to get kids interested in fitness

A new study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise confirms what many parents and teachers may have already suspected: guilting kids into physical activity won’t work in the long term.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia, focused on middle school children, or those around the ages of 10 to 12. According to the study’s lead author, Rod Dishman, participation in physical activity drops by about 50 per cent for children around this age.

After studying groups of middle school kids and their exercise habits, the researchers observed that those who had felt forced into physical activity did not continue to be active on their own. For the kids who exercised out of self-motivation, or because they wanted to, they identified as a person who exercises. This identity served as motivation prompting them to continue to be physically active.

When the researchers came to this conclusion, the discussion on getting kids to be physically active shifted. Rather than thinking in the short term (i.e. how can I make my child participate in enough exercise this week?) the discussion should be about getting children to identify as a physically active person to ensure that they will carry these habits on their own later.

As we come into back to school time and the start up of extra curricular sports like cross-country, many parents and teachers have children’s health and fitness on the brain. There are obviously many benefits of getting children involved in sport. If you’re a parent or teacher looking for tips to get the young ones into running (without pushing), we’ve got you covered.

One of Canadian Running‘s writers started running because of the encouragement he received from a special teacher. See how he did it.