Children who run around more are less likely to have a cough or runny nose.
A study of 104 children between the ages of four and seven suggests that regular exercise can ward off a cold.
The children wore a fitness tracker bracelet for 40 days to measure their daily steps and type of physical activity.
Her parents completed a daily survey for 60 days about her symptoms, which included coughing, sneezing, a sore throat, runny nose and stuffy nose, and fatigue.
The study, led by the Medical University of Warsaw and published in the journal Pediatric Research (CORR), analyzed the physical activity levels of 104 children aged four to seven.
The touchscreen generation: Only HALF of six-year-olds exercise for an hour a day – the minimum recommended amount
A 2022 study by the Universities of Cambridge and Southampton tracked the exercise levels of 712 children and found that just 53 per cent were doing the 60 minutes of vigorous exercise recommended by the NHS for the age group – with girls doing less than boys.
For every 1,000 additional steps children take each day, the time they spend with symptoms of illness is reduced by more than four days.
The study, led by the Medical University of Warsaw and published in the journal Pediatric Research, concludes: “Through contact with the natural environment and opportunities for socialization, children benefit from sunlight, natural elements and the open air, all of which lead to a stronger immune system. .
However, the recent displacement of physically active lifestyles and the abandonment of a natural outdoor environment in all areas of life, even among the youngest children, has led to an indoor sedentary lifestyle (due to the overuse of modern technology) and can lead to chronic diseases lead. reflect what is endemic to our culture.
“Parents of preschool children should encourage their children to be physically active every day and to provide opportunities and opportunities for physical activity for the whole family, especially if their children do not participate in physical activity on a regular basis.”
It is common for children under the age of five to 12 to have upper respiratory tract infections, such as B. have a cold.
This is because there are hundreds of different viruses and young children have never had one and therefore have no immunity.
Most colds heal within five to seven days, but it can take up to two weeks in young children.
They gradually build up immunity, with the percentage decreasing from entry into primary school.
The new study suggests that preschoolers with lots of daily exercise may be less susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections.
The researchers divided the children into two groups: an active group and a less active group.
The less active group of 47 children, based on their daily steps taken in the first two weeks of the study, spent a total of 947 days with symptoms such as coughing and sneezing.
This compared to just 724 total days with symptoms in the active group.
In addition, children who exercised three or more hours per week had fewer days with symptoms of respiratory infections than children who did not exercise regularly.
Children who did not exercise regularly had more severe symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections when they took fewer daily steps.
The daily steps were recorded on the days when the children living in Poland were not doing badly.
More research is needed in larger numbers of children, but the study authors suggest that higher levels of physical activity may promote better immune responses in young children.
According to the NHS, pre-school children should be physically active for at least three hours a day, including playing outside.
Children of this age should not be inactive for long periods of time, except when sleeping.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
