Benefits of outdoor play 'include reducing blood pressure'
14/09/2009 New research has found that exercise can reduce children's blood pressure.
A study on hypertension performed by A Hofman, HJ Walter, PA Connelly, and RD Vaughan, and provided by Elsevier Periodicals, found that as well as reducing blood pressure in adults, exercise can have the same impact on children, reports the Examiner.
The blood pressure levels of 2,061 schoolchildren were measured on two separate occasions one year apart and it was discovered that blood pressure was highest in children with poor physical fitness, which clearly shows the benefits of outdoor play.
Children with a decline in fitness during the year showed the greatest increase in blood pressure. Researchers claim this suggests a direct correlation between fitness and blood pressure.
According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure in children is defined as having a blood pressure that is the same as or higher than 90 per cent of children who are the same sex, age and height.
Research by Bupa found that children should be taking part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, which could include outdoor play activities.
A study on hypertension performed by A Hofman, HJ Walter, PA Connelly, and RD Vaughan, and provided by Elsevier Periodicals, found that as well as reducing blood pressure in adults, exercise can have the same impact on children, reports the Examiner.
The blood pressure levels of 2,061 schoolchildren were measured on two separate occasions one year apart and it was discovered that blood pressure was highest in children with poor physical fitness, which clearly shows the benefits of outdoor play.
Children with a decline in fitness during the year showed the greatest increase in blood pressure. Researchers claim this suggests a direct correlation between fitness and blood pressure.
According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure in children is defined as having a blood pressure that is the same as or higher than 90 per cent of children who are the same sex, age and height.
Research by Bupa found that children should be taking part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, which could include outdoor play activities.
