Encouraging kids to exercise will help them stay healthy, boost their immune system, and make their bodies more resilient. Exercise not only helps with physical development but also supports mental well-being. So, which is truly effective: having your child exercise in the morning or in the afternoon?
What benefits does exercising in the morning have for kids?
Choosing when to exercise greatly affects a child’s energy for the whole day. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of exercising in the morning?
Advantages of exercising in the morning
Improves academic performance for the child: Morning exercise helps increase concentration, alertness, and a sense of well-being after exercising, and it also creates space for them to absorb knowledge when they attend class.
Strengthens the immune system: Regular morning exercise can boost a child’s immunity, helping them prevent and fight seasonal illnesses such as colds, coughs, and fever. Moreover, regular exercise also helps prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and bone and joint problems.
Improves mental health for the child: When the child engages in physical activities such as jump rope, soccer, etc., their body releases endorphins (neurotransmitters that create a feeling of happiness). They will feel more relaxed right after releasing energy through physical activities.
Disadvantages of exercising in the morning
Less time for sleep: Having to allocate time to exercise before school forces the child to wake up earlier, reducing the time they get to sleep.
Lower energy and loss of muscle: Exercising on an empty stomach can cause the child to lose energy or experience low blood sugar, dizziness, faintness. For children with low blood sugar, the morning is not the best time to exercise.
Pros and cons of exercising in the afternoon
Many families choose the afternoon as the suitable time for their child to exercise. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of exercising in the afternoon?
Advantages when kids exercise in the afternoon
Comprehensive physical development: Exercising in the afternoon helps the child comfortably develop muscles, bones, and joints without worrying about fatigue during the day. The child can participate in common physical activities such as long-distance running and swimming to improve flexibility and endurance.
Convenient timing: Afternoon exercise is often preferred over the morning because the afternoon is after class and the child can devote more time to being active at home.
Disadvantages when kids exercise in the afternoon
Less time for other activities: Choosing the afternoon as the time for exercise will leave less time for playing with friends or participating in other extracurricular activities. Moreover, the schedule for routines such as washing up, eating, or doing homework may be pushed back, causing the child to finish the day late.
Sleep disturbances: In cases where the child engages in overly strenuous physical activity in the afternoon, it may cause sleep disturbances, making it hard to fall asleep at night because their nervous system is overstimulated.
Parents should start instilling the habit of exercising for their child from an early age to help them build a strong health foundation and an optimistic mindset throughout life. According to Mykingdom, the best time for children to exercise is the afternoon after stressful class hours. Through this article, Mykingdom hopes to help parents choose the right time for their child to exercise effectively and successfully.
