The phrase “preventative medicine” can mean different things to different people. Routine checkups, screenings, hydration, good nutrition and getting enough sleep are some of the things that fall under this umbrella, and exercise is another piece of the preventative puzzle.
Many of us join gyms, sign up for fitness classes and take up running or hiking in the pursuit of better health, and we encourage our children to be more active, too. Activity for kids (and adults!) can be fun and playful, which makes it MUCH more appealing and enjoyable to everyone.
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, making it the perfect time to consider how unstructured play encourages lifelong wellness — and how the path to better health is found in the fresh air and exuberant joy of an outdoor playground.
Restore Active Childhoods
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, “few children in the United States, probably no more than half, meet the currently recommended standard of 60 minutes of vigorous or moderate intensity physical activity daily.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, more elementary school-age children meet the goal than middle and high school students, as they are most likely to keep play at the heart of daily life.
Over the last few decades, the volume and intensity of daily physical activity among youth has declined. There are a variety of contributing factors, such as the volume of hours spent in school and related activities, car transportation replacing biking and walking, declining recess time and the prevalence of screens.
The long-term implications for cardiovascular health, weight management and even bone density are sobering. So, what can we do?
One powerful step is to invest in children’s playspaces, and ensure they are inclusive and accessible for all.
Reach Health Goals Through Play
A playground is more than perk or privilege. It is an investment in community health. After all, children are a community’s most precious resource, because they are its future.
When children have access to a thoughtfully designed playground, they don’t need to be told to exercise. They just do it. They run, jump, crawl, climb, swing and balance — and in the process, according to a 2023 report in Medical News Today, they are:
- Improving cardiorespiratory fitness
- Strengthening muscles
- Increasing bone density
- Regulating metabolism (helping to maintain a healthy weight)
- Improving coordination, balance and motor skills
- Improving spatial awareness
That’s not all. Unstructured outdoor play also improves overall mental health and emotional well-being through the release of endorphins. That means self-esteem and positive body image go up while levels of stress and anxiety go down.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that school-age children and teens ages 6-17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day (it does not have specific guidelines for preschoolers). Inclusive, accessible playspaces can do so much to help youth reach these goals effortlessly because, after all, they are playing.
Innovate with Playground Design
In 2022, the American Journal of Preventative Medicine observed that “innovative playgrounds attracted 2.5 more users and generated almost three times as much moderate to vigorous physical activity.” It also advised that innovative designs should be prioritized for low-income neighborhoods, where they can make a meaningful difference.
“Whereas playgrounds in high-poverty neighborhoods saw less overall use, innovatively designed playgrounds mitigated the difference by 60 percent compared with traditional playgrounds,” the journal noted.
What does an “innovative playground” offer?
- Natural elements and terrain variation: The playground might incorporate natural hills, sandy areas and unique surfaces, as well as features such as logs, boulders and water. As with any space, children of all abilities should have an opportunity for an equitable play experience and the space should be safe for all users.
- Open-ended play structures: This type of equipment allows children to choose how to use it, engaging their imagination and increasing cognitive, physical and creative development in all users.
- Inclusive and accessible design: The playground should offer features that welcome children of all abilities, from ramps and platforms to adaptive equipment, sensory panels and quiet areas.
- Age-appropriate zones: Differentiated zones allow kids to participate in age-appropriate play while seating, fitness, games and outdoor musical instruments offer opportunities for intergenerational play and engagement.
- Loose parts: Movable elements (like blocks and planks) and water play encourage children to build, rearrange and collaborate. This type of play promotes creativity and gives kids a sense of ownership over their playspace. It may require additional supervision for the best possible and safest play outcomes.
- Sensory components: These might include tactile panels, textured surfaces, musical instruments and even themed designs that encourage storytelling.
- Risk and challenge in a safe environment: Kids should challenge themselves and engage in healthy, age-appropriate risk-taking. This will help them build both confidence and resilience.
- Community features: Elements that reflect cultural heritage, local artistic talent and native flora and fauna foster intergenerational connection and social cohesion. Douglass Community Center Park in Leesburg, VA is a perfect example of a space that encourages movement and fitness while focusing on teaching the history of the area through play.
Build Healthy Habits for a Healthier Life
There is a broader public health implication to all this. The more children engage in physical play from an early age, the more likely they are to pursue active lifestyles later in life.
In fact, a comprehensive review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health examined numerous studies, and the review confirmed that physical activity levels in childhood and adolescence are moderately predictive of activity levels in adulthood.
The results “support the idea that the enhancement of physical activity… is of great importance for the promotion of public health.” The CDC agrees, noting that active children and teens have a reduced risk of chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
By treating playgrounds as preventative medicine, we are doing more than actively supporting the healthy development of our children. We are building the foundation for a stronger, healthier community for everyone.
Explore our products, browse our designs, check out everything Burke Outdoor Fitness has to offer and contact your nearest Burke representative to learn more about your next steps for incorporating play into daily life.