A 2020 report published by the American Heart Association revealed that almost sixty percent of American children have poor Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). CRF is actually a measure that indicates the overall strength of the heart, blood circulation and lungs in children. The report also stated that a major contributor to the low CRF in children is the lack or fewer engagement in physical activities. While the past two years were not ideal for children to be active in physical games or sports, fitness experts recommend that even if children have no other choice but to stay home, they should at least get into the habit of stretching their body.

In contrast, related studies about children with healthy CRF indicated that they have better academic achievements because they have clearer thinking, have a higher sense of self-esteem and satisfaction, as well as stronger mental health. However, the current low CRF has been observed not only in American youth but globally, ever since it went on a downward trend in the 1980s.

Now more than ever, children in well-off countries are more sedentary than the children of previous generations, in line with the advent of the Internet of things, and mobile gaming. Prior to the COVID-19 studies children already preferred using their smartphones and electronic gadgets for entertainment and recreation.
In recent meta analysis, it was revealed that low CRFs are more prevalent in younger children than in teens, who more or less have been channelling their physical activities through dancing.
Nowadays, parents are encouraged to include their children in stretching regimen to help their kids grow up living a healthier life.

Stretching Exercises for Children to Improve Their Muscle Strength and Flexibility

Stretching are lighter forms of exercises as they are often used as preparatory activities for more strenuous exercises. The goal is to loosen up the joints and muscles, which may have tightened due to long hours of being asleep in bed or of sitting in front of a gaming console.

The actions you take to stretch your body might not be appropriate for a kid because your body has different levels of muscle strength and even muscle weakness. Moreover, stretching helps improve blood circulation, which reduces the stress on joints and muscles.

Recommended Stretching Exercises for Kids

The following are stretching activities that kids might not be able to perform instantly with great accuracy. Through constant practice, they will experience improvements and greater ease in achieving flexibility.

A toe touch stretch taken from a standing position that will have a child bend over to reach his or her toes.

Neck half circle stretches that start with touching This stretch for children starts by making the right ear touch the right shoulder then roll their head chin to chest to perform the left ear-left shoulder stretch.

Shoulder circles are performed by simultaneously shrugging and rotating shoulders forward at first and downwards on the next rounds.

Arm circle stretches will have children extending thei arms on both sides and parallel to their shoulders. Using their hands, the children will draw circles starting with small ones that later grow into large circles.

Side bend stretches starts with standing up straight with arms placed outside each thigh. The child will them move one hand toward the outside of the knee by bending sidewards, which he or she might bit be able to do successfully at first. Continue doing the stretching exercise alternately on the left side.