It's Time to Bring Back Science-Based Physical Education

The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.

Older generations always talk about how younger people aren't ready for the challenges of adulthood. When I was going through Navy SEAL training, the Vietnam veteran SEAL instructors called our class the "MTV Generation" because we grew up in the 1980s and had more TV channels to tune into than they had.

With that in mind, readers should know this article is not just the opinion of a grumpy old fitness writer who grew up with physical education classes in every grade of school. In a recent issue of the journal "Sports Medicine," a team of researchers published a thorough meta-analysis of scientific studies on children and adolescents who needed more physical activity in their day. It's a must-read for an audience of parents, teachers and school administrators.

The real question is how dangerous is the high percentage of physically unfit youth in America, for both our youth and our national defense?

We have generations of military-aged men and women unable to join due to obesity; failure to meet the height, weight and body fat standards; and not being physically able to pass any of the entry-level fitness tests. There have been suggestions at one end of the spectrum to get rid of physical fitness standards, for not just the military but for police and fire services as well.

One of the worst misconceptions about fitness is that you must be an athlete to be in shape. Not true. Anyone can get into a moderate-to-advanced level of physical fitness, not just athletes.
We should make time for physical activity for youth in our schools and not leave fitness training only for the athletes.

This study's critical points concluded that resistance training and physical activity helps with physical fitness, enhances classroom behavior and academic performance, and positively affects learning new concepts.

There is enough time in a day for most people. According to research, the typical preschooler spends more than six hours in sedentary activity. More than 40% of children watch three or more hours of television per day on school days, and the average 8- to 18-year-old spends more than seven hours daily in front of a computer, phone or TV screen.

It is time to start accumulating physical activity, even if it is five minutes, here and there, spread throughout the day.

As a teacher, administrator or parent of a school-aged child or adolescent, it is vital to recognize the need for daily physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents aged 6-17 should engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily.

Chances are children and teens will not do it independently, nor have manual labor jobs after school, and only a few are in sports. But the need persists in over half of the under-18 population.

The reason is that regular physical activity can help children and adolescents control their weight, build strong muscles and bones, and develop motor skills. But the studies show that this same physical activity that makes them more physically durable can also help young people with improved academic performance, self-confidence, behavior in class and sleep.

A recent American Academy of Pediatrics study found that less than one in three school-aged children and adolescents get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Only 26% of boys and girls meet this daily recommendation. There are so many reasons why bringing back physical activity is needed, and it comes down to the health and wellness of our country -- both individually and in national defense.

Physical activity also helps mental health and reduces the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. When teen suicide rates are at all-time highs, any activity that helps with self-confidence, self-esteem, anxiety and depression has to be aggressively researched and accessible to all children.

Finding Time in a Day for Fitness

With the demands of school, family and social lives, finding the time for physical activity can be challenging. Fortunately, several strategies can help to increase physical activity levels in school-aged children and adolescents.

Incorporating physical activity into the regular school day, such as physical education classes or recess, is a great way to start. Additionally, encouraging kids to participate in after-school sports or other physical activities can be beneficial.

The good news is that there are many ways for children and adolescents to get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Kids can play active video games, go for a walk or on a bike ride with the family, or do any activities that get them up and moving.

Remembering that physical activity doesn't have to be done simultaneously is essential. Like adults, children and adolescents can break up their physical activity into shorter periods throughout the day and still get the same health benefits.

So the next time you're looking for ways to keep your kids active and healthy, remember that physical activity is just as important for them as it is for adults. Encourage your children and adolescents to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day and help them reach their goals.

-- Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.