Physical activity is anything that gets you moving and raises your heart rate. Exerciseis any planned physical activity with thepurpose of gaining health benefits. As adults we usually plan our physical activity to stay healthy – but our kids usually get it in the form of play. Unfortunately, more and more schools are cutting down on the amount of time kids are allowed to play before, during, or after school. So, what does this mean for the parents out there who want to make sure their child is moving around enough during the day? You have probably wondered at some point: How much exercise is enough for my child so that they are healthy? Don’t worry! Here are a few guidelines to help you out!

Recommendations 
The American Heart Association recommends that children ages 2 and up get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. This physical activity can even be split up into 15 or 30 minute increments throughout the day. No need to be caught up with the intensity of activity because brisk walking is considered moderate activity and running is enough to be considered vigorous.

The key to raising a healthy child is being able to establish these healthy physical activity habits early. Studies indicate that inactive children grow up to be inactive adults. Parents can help by being role models for their children by being active themselves. Make physical activity fun to increase participation – it can be anything your imagination can come up with!

Benefits of Being an Active Kid

• Promotes health & fitness into adulthood.
• Strong cardiovascular (heart) system.
• Strong muscles.
• Strong bones.
• Lower body fat%.
• Reduced risk of developing chronic disease (i.e. diabetes or hypertension).

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Sample Activities 

• Nature hike (collect different types of leaves or identify wildlife)
• Family relay
• Around the World (basketball)
• Boogie Boarding
• 2nd Recess!

​Works Cited 
“The AHA’s Recommendations for Physical Activity in Children.” The AHA’s Recommendations for Physical Activity in Children. 22 Mar. 2013. Web. 8 Sept. 2014.
“American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults.” American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults. 22 Mar. 2013. Web. 8 Sept. 2014.

We have all probably heard anecdotally that exercise is good for the brain. Well now, two Stanford researchers are out to prove just that. These researchers think that exercise stimulates your muscles to release a combination of different molecules that communicate with other cells, ultimately leading to positive changes in the brain.


Exercise may boost brain power.
If these researchers are successful, it could lead to changes in how the government and school districts view the role of physical education in the development of our children. One can only wish for a day when 60 minutes of physical activity per day is a norm in our schools!
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If you are interested in learning more, visit this link to the National Institute of Health. Remember, you can help your kids get their 60 minutes of physical activity by being creative and encouraging family exercise.

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) - It’s never too early to start getting in shape for summer. Why not get your kids excited too?

2nd Recess is here to help for kids ages 5 and up. The after school running program introduces fun and fitness to kids through running.

Each practice consists of a thorough warmup, drills, and strides, followed by two workouts and a cooldown. The practice concludes with a talk on an inspirational topic as well as a healthy snack.

Do your kids already love running? Take them down to Petco Park on Sunday to participate in the San Diego Kids Race. The race is a closed-loop course inside the park. Interested in the race? Head here for tickets.
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2nd Recess founders, Natasha LaBeaud Anzures & Marco Anzures, along with some runners joined News 8 Morning Extra to talk about all things running.
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​Your heart is what keeps you going day in and day out. This month take a moment to check in on your heart’s fitness!

Did you know that even though most people put their hand on the left side of their chest to feel their heart, your heart is actually located almost in the center of your chest – between your two lungs?




How about: That an adult’s heart is approximately the size of two clenched fists. A child’s heart is approximately the size of one fist.

• During an average lifetime a heart will beat over 2.5 BILLION times!
• Even at rest the muscles of the heart work twice as hard as the leg muscles of a person sprinting all-out.

Your heart is one tough cookie and workhorse. Take a few minutes this week to evaluate your heart’s health and fitness.

There are several factors that can affect the health of your heart and even put you at risk for developing heart disease. Some risk factors include:

• High blood pressure, greater than 120mmHg / 80mmHg for adults (for a chart based on sex, age, and height for children please click here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/guidelines/child_tbl.pdf
• High blood cholesterol levels.
• Sedentary lifestyle / obesity.
• Tobacco use.
• Poor nutrition.

Don’t fret though! There are steps you can take to build healthy habits and strengthen your heart. Here is an easy checklist to get started:

• Be physically active (150 minutes per week for adults and an hour a day for kids).
• Eat healthy foods.
• Control your weight (through exercise and your diet).
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure (through exercise and your diet).

Be a positive role model by sharing your passion for heart health with your family. For instance, kids of active moms are twice as likely to be active themselves. Pick one thing you can improve upon and make a change. 2nd Recess is all about inspiring others to be active and help them establish healthy habits. If you move then we move, and vice a versa!