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Life stage benefits

As well as general benefits for all Tasmanians, there are also additional benefits depending on your life stage.

For children 0-5 years

Being physically active every day is important for the healthy growth and development of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Physical activity for children includes both structured activities and unstructured free play, and can be done indoors or outside.

Being physically active every day is fun and can:

  • help achieve and maintain a healthy weight
  • build strong bones and muscles
  • improve balance, movement and co-ordination skills
  • promote social skills through interactions with people
  • support brain development
  • encourage self-confidence and independence.

For children 5-12 years

Kids love to be active. Making physical activity a part of their daily routine is not only fun, but also healthy. Physical activity is important for healthy growth and development. It is also a great way for kids to make friends and learn physical and social skills.

Encouraging kids to be active when they are young also establishes a routine that could stay with them throughout their life.

Children between 5-12 years greatly benefit from being physically active. It can:

  • promote healthy growth and development
  • build strong bones and muscles
  • improve balance and develop skills
  • maintain and develop flexibility
  • help achieve and maintain a healthy weight
  • improve cardiovascular fitness
  • help relaxation
  • improve posture
  • provide opportunities to make friends
  • improve self-esteem.

For children 12-18 years

Some of the benefits of being physical active for children between 12-18 years include:

  • provide opportunities to have fun with friends and make new ones
  • develop new skills and challenges
  • boost confidence
  • improve fitness
  • build stronger bones and muscles
  • improve posture
  • help maintain a healthy weight
  • improves heart health
  • help relaxation
  • reduce stress
  • help maintain healthy growth and development.

For adults

Regular physical activity can:

  • help prevent heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure
  • reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes and some cancers
  • help build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, reducing the risk of injury
  • promote psychological wellbeing
  • help you to be more relaxed and sleep better.

For pregnant women

Regular physical activity can provide many health and social benefits for pregnant women. Under some circumstances however, exercise can be detrimental to both the expecting mother and child so it is recommended you consult your doctor or healthcare professional to make sure your exercise routine is appropriate.

Benefits of physical activity during pregnancy include:

  • increased energy
  • improved posture and increased strength which can help manage back pain and strain as your belly grows, and prepare you for the physical demands of labour
  • stress relief
  • improved sleep
  • faster return to pre-pregnancy fitness and healthy weight
  • increased ability to cope with the physical demands of motherhood.

For older adults

Many improved health and wellbeing outcomes have been shown to occur for older adults with regular physical activity. These include helping to:

  • maintain or improve physical function and independent living
  • improve social interactions, quality of life, and reduce depression
  • build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, reducing the risk of injuries from falls
  • reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and some cancers.