Try new activities to get fit

If you need an excuse to get kids more active and to try new activities when they play, recent research could have provided it.
A study from the University of Bristol found that children could try new activities that are physical if parents encourage them to take part in play that is active rather than more sedentary, just the excuse to get them outdoors!
The study, called What Is The Meaning and Nature of Active Play For Today's Children In The UK?, found kids thought that play constituted a number of activities, including relaxed pursuits and more active ones.
"Contemporary children do engage in active play and value both the physical and social benefits it provides. This suggests that some children, at least, do not prefer to spend all their time watching TV or on computer," Rowan Brockman, a researcher in the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences at Bristol University, said.
The research also found that girls and boys wanted to try new activities. Males wanted to ride bikes or play football, but girls did not having one specific pursuit that they favoured.
Despite this last finding, girls in Swindon have given a big thumbs up to football. A two-day development course that was organised by the Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust saw over 30 young females given coaching sessions and taking part in tournaments and competitions.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!

Extract: Researchers have looked at kids' attitudes to play.