Nine-year-olds losing the enjoyment of exercise, study finds

Young children are struggling to enjoy running and playing as they are more interested in seeking acceptance from their peers, a new study has found, sparking fears of an even more sedentary future population.

The fun goes out of physical exercise when kids are only nine years old.

Very young children struggle to enjoy running and playing as they are more interested in seeking acceptance from their peers, a new study has discovered.

Researchers are shocked to find that healthy activity declines at such an early age, sparking fears of an even more sedentary future population. The findings from psychologists at the Université de Genève have been published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

Exercise targets touted for overweight children

“We’ve never observed this decline at such a young age. Our results showed for the first time that there is a sharp drop in positive motivations for physical activity, with good motivational qualities, such as pleasure or health, over a child’s time at primary school from age nine onwards,” researcher Julien Chanal said.

Researchers are shocked by how young children lose the fun element in exercise

Children’s cardio-respiratory capacity has dropped by 25 per cent in 20 years, according to a study by the University of Adelaide.

The new study focused on 1200 children aged eight to 12 over a two-year period.

Taking part in exercise was motivated by impressing friends or getting better grades not for enjoyment or to be healthier.

“We know that if children are motivated by good reasons when they’re young, then they’ll remain active when they’re adults,” the researcher said.

“It is hoped that the study will help educators change the way PE is taught at primary school as nine is a crucial age for setting up healthy patterns for the future,” Mr Chanal said.

Close to two-thirds of children are currently in the healthy weight range in Queensland but many are struggling with too many kilos. They should aim to get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day — anything that makes them ‘huff and puff’.

“PE teaching has changed enormously. Classes are more academic, with children learning about rules, motor functioning, mutual support. Now that children don’t move as much as before outside school, it’s vital that the periods earmarked for PE maximise the time they spend moving,” Mr Chanal said.