Kids and teens need movement to grow healthy and strong. Regular physical activity strengthens muscles and bones, helps prevent health problems like diabetes and heart disease, and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Physical activity also has clear benefits for life at school. For example, students who are physically active tend to:
- Get better grades
- Miss fewer school days
- Focus better in class
Beyond that, physical activity in schools can help support school connectedness — students’ belief that peers and adults in the school support, value, and care about their well-being. School connectedness can make it less likely that students engage in risky behaviors like substance use and help improve students’ mental and physical health and well-being.
How much physical activity do kids and teens need?
Moderate-intensity aerobic activity
Kids and teens ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day to stay healthy. Most of that can be moderate-intensity aerobic activity — anything that gets the heart beating faster counts. And keep in mind that 60 minutes doesn't have to happen all at once — every bit of activity adds up!
3 days a week, encourage them to step it up to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, so they're breathing fast and their heart is pounding.
Muscle- and bone-strengthening activity
To help muscles and bones grow strong, kids and teens also need to do activities like climbing, running, or jumping as part of their 60 minutes. Aim for muscle- and bone-strengthening activities at least 3 days a week.
Read more
- Browse CDC Healthy Schools’ Physical Education and Physical Activity webpage for facts, figures, and frameworks.
- Learn about School Connectedness and how to promote it.
- Check out these 10 Actionable Tips to Support Youth Mental Health Through Sports [PDF - 2.2 MB].
