Similarities in Exercise Physiology and Occupational Therapy.
As a parent or caregiver, you may have heard about occupational therapy and paediatric exercise physiology as options to help your child's development. While both are important, they have different goals.
Paediatric exercise physiology focuses on helping children become physically fit and healthy by designing exercise programs tailored to their needs. We work with children of all ages, and our interventions can help with conditions such as obesity, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Exercise can also improve coordination, balance, mental health, academic performance, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
On the other hand, occupational therapy helps children develop skills to participate in daily activities such as self-care, play, and school. Occupational therapists work with children who have developmental, neurological, or physical disabilities to help them gain independence and improve their quality of life.
Despite these differences, both paediatric exercise physiology and occupational therapy have significant benefits for children. Here are some of the benefits of exercise physiology that parents and caregivers should be aware of:
Improved physical fitness: Regular exercise helps children build stronger muscles and bones, improve their cardiovascular health, and maintain a healthy body weight.
Enhanced motor skills: Exercise can help children develop their coordination, balance, and gross and fine motor skills, which are essential for activities such as playing sports, climbing stairs, and writing.
Improved mental health: Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in children, boost their self-esteem, and improve their cognitive function.
Better academic performance: Studies have found that children who are physically active tend to perform better in school, have better attention spans, and exhibit fewer behavioural problems.
Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Regular exercise can help children reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Both options are important for children's development and health, but if you want to help your child become physically fit and healthy, consider consulting with a paediatric exercise physiologist. We can design a custom exercise program for your child that is tailored to their unique needs and interests.
