Get moving: increasing your teen’s activity level

Have a teenage couch potato from January through March? We all tend to decrease our activity level in the winter months. Physical Therapist Deb Stack gives us ideas to keep teens active.

Let’s face it, it’s hard to move when it’s cold and it’s freezing at my home. I believe today’s high is 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Now while this may not deter younger children from bundling up and going sledding, teen couch potatoes are busy whining that it’s “too cold.” So there they sit.

What’s the secret to keeping them active in the winter months? Have them schedule an activity, and be an example yourself. Ideas for teens (and you) to do when it’s cold outside:

Have a 15-minute dance party

Have a Wii contest

Try swimming (indoors please!)

Dust off the treadmill or stationary bike in the basement and GET ON IT

Play ping-pong

Do a few chores

Jump rope

Jog during T.V. commercials

Pull out some “little kid games” such as hopscotch, hula-hoop or Twister

Let each child in your house choose an activity for everyone to try

Teens, like everyone else, need exercise to stay healthy. Staff from the Mayo Clinic recommend kids ages 6-17 years should have one hour of moderate exercise each day. Exercise can help improve mood (through the release of endorphins), improve sleep and therefore attention (critical with finals coming up), and improve cardiovascular endurance. Those spring sports really ARE just around the corner.

Here are some numbers to get the kids moving: All activities are based on 20 minutes and a teen who weighs 110 pounds. The number of calories burned depends on weight. If your teen weighs more, he will burn a few more calories, if he weighs less, he’ll burn a few less. Below the table are links to some free and quick calorie calculators on the web so your teen can check it out for him self. For those attached to their phones, there are web apps too.

ACTIVITY	CALORIES USED
Shooting Basketballs	75
Pickup Basketball game/practice	100
Biking on stationary bike	116
Dancing	75
Hopscotch	67
Ice Skating	116
Jogging in place	133
Juggling	67
Jumping Rope	166
Ping Pong	67
Rock Climbing	183
Running at 5 mph	133
Sledding	116
Treadmill at 4 mph	67
Vacuuming	58

What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll have a more fit, better rested, and happier teen! Or at least you’ll have a cleaner home!

Try these activity calculators:

http://primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/calculat.htm

www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php

http://www.caloriecontrol.org/healthy-weight-tool-kit/lighten-up-and-get-moving

References:

www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/FL00030.
www.caloriesperhour.com/index.burn.php

Deborah Stack, PT, DPT, PCS

Dr. Stack has been a physical therapist for over 15 years and heads The Pediatric Therapy Center of Bucks County in Pennsylvania www.buckscountypeds.com. She holds both masters and doctoral degrees in physical therapy from Thomas Jefferson University.