Physical Activities Urged As Component Of Summer Fun | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This post was originally published by ECU News Services.

    When the school year winds down and children are released for the summer, their thoughts may turn to lazy days filled with television and video games. But spending the summer that way could lead to a decline in physical fitness, said ECU kinesiology professor Grace Anne Vick, director of the Lifetime Physical Activity and Fitness program. Vick recommends parental involvement to prevent that decline.

    Vick suggests that parents limit the time children spend watching television, playing video games or using computers. Instead she suggests that families take advantage of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, skating and swimming. Children who are home during the day can play outside with other children in the neighborhood, enjoying games like soccer, basketball, frisbee, kickball or baseball.

    Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children between the ages of 6-17 receive at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, while incorporating muscle and bone strengthening activities two to three days a week. Opportunities to help children stay active in Greenville include a number of summer camps focused around dance, nature, sports and fitness, as well as free parks and the Green Mill Run Greenway - a 1.5 mile scenic walkway for walkers, runners, bicyclists and nature enthusiasts.

    Note To Media: Vick is available to speak with the media about her recommendations for keeping children active and fit during the summer. Contact her by e-mail at vickg@ecu.edu or by phone at (252) 737-1286.