Leading physical fitness experts at the Indonesian Ministry of Health recommend it to have a positive impact on children's growth and development.

Physical activities such as swimming can reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease while also supporting brain development and enhancing cognitive skills. (Source: Antara)

“Children who are physically active keep their muscles flexible, which stimulates bone growth and helps increase height.”

Dr. Rizky Kusuma Wardhani, a physical rehabilitation and pediatric specialist at Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, emphasized this at an online discussion on children's health. According to Ms. Wardhani, regular, daily physical activity will help children develop; the skeletal and muscular systems will grow longer and more flexible.

Children aged 3 to 5 can participate in activities such as running and jumping indoors or outdoors for about 3 hours. Children in this age group “can do light physical activities such as taking a leisurely walk, doing homework or moving around the house,” she noted.

Children aged 6-17 years or those attending school, in addition to 3 hours of physical activity, can supplement with organized and planned sports activities at least 3 times/week, lasting 60 minutes.

The expert also recommends moderate to vigorous physical activity, such as running and cycling for longer periods or distances. “Anything is fine as long as the kids are moving.”

Physical activities, such as running, jumping and even standing, are weight-bearing in nature and help build strong bones and strengthen muscles, she explains.

Physical activity can also stimulate children's gross and fine motor skills and improve social skills by playing with peers. Children who participate in physical activity can reduce their risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease while supporting brain development and enhancing cognitive skills.