Childhood physical activity

The importance of supporting movement for children cannot be overstated. We live in an era dominated by screens (a.k.a weapons of mass distraction) and we are increasingly being boxed into more sedentary lifestyles. We also know there are large childhood physical activity participation disparities. 

It is crucial that we use our strong physiotherapy voice to advocate for an active future for all children. Don’t we all want to move towards a fairer future?

As a profession, we are aware of barriers to physical activity participation. We know ways we can promote participation, despite complex challenges.  Yet, how much time do we have for this within our roles for children and young people? Time to truly support a family in identifying realistic ways to establish active lifestyles? How much do we share our knowledge with the wider population through preventative child health messages? How do we target public health messages to reach those young people who experience the greatest barriers?

The Association of Chartered Paediatric Physiotherapists (APCP) represents our strong paediatric physiotherapy workforce. It launched the first paediatric movement campaign – Starting2move. Now APCP is translating paediatric physiotherapy information into commonly requested languages. 

Where do we go next to break down barriers? How do we embed meaningful messages into everyday conversations? How do we adjust for place-based differences within our childhood physical activity messaging? 

How do we embed meaningful physical activity messages into everyday conversations?

If you’d like more food for thought, then here’s two avenues to explore: 

1. paediatric social prescribing.
2. Starting2Move: a team in northeast England hopes to expand Starting2Move into local communities to reduce physical activity inequalities. Find out more via: Helen.rowland2@nhs.net or Alison.mason@nhs.net.

I’m sure you have ideas and the APCP would like to help you, please get in touch using jemmabell@nhs.net.