It is a well known fact now that high levels of physical fitness lower the risk of many health problems. But recently, the first ever study to find the link between strength capacity in adolescents and reduced risk for diabetes, heart disease or stroke has been published in the journal Pediatrics.
Staying fit is an essential habit that should be inculcated in youngsters. It will positively affect their long and short term health. For example, a recent study found that exercising during younger years helps bones become stronger and increases their longevity, even conferring benefits during aging.
The researchers of this latest study, led by Mark D. Peterson, research assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, note that previous studies have found low muscular strength in teen boys linked to several major causes of death in young adulthood, including suicide and cardiovascular diseases. Later it was seen that adolescents with stronger muscles have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to a new study that examined the influence of muscle strength in sixth grade boys and girls.
It was found that physical activity or ay recreational activity done by adolescents helps them to have stronger muscle, which ultimately makes them strong as well as keeps them away from health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Stronger kids also have lower body mass index (weight to height ratio), lower body fat, smaller waist circumferences, and higher fitness levels, according to the study that suggests that muscle-strengthening activities may be important to kids' heart health.
Muscle strength is equally important to children's cardiometabolic health
Peterson, one of the researchers from University of Michigan concluded that- “ It's a widely held belief that BMI [body mass index], sedentary behaviors and low cardiovascular fitness levels are linked to diabetes, heart disease and stroke, but our findings suggest muscle strength possibly may play an equally important role in cardiometabolic health in children."
He also said the stronger the youngsters are and higher their muscle mass, the healthier they will be. “Exercise, sports and even recreational activity that supports early muscular strength acquisition, should complement traditional weight loss interventions among children and teens in order to reduce risks of serious diseases throughout adolescence," he adds.
It is very important for children to adopt any moderate to intense physical activity on a daily basis to have higher muscle mass and strength, to improve their chances of being stronger and healthier throughout their lives.