Why Fitness Matters
I have always enjoyed physical activity. Running, swimming, attending exercise classes and going for long walks are regular parts of my routine.
For me, exercise is not simply a “nice thing to do.” It plays a vital role in maintaining both physical health and overall wellbeing. Regular movement has the power to improve not only individual health, but also quality of life more broadly.
I feel fortunate to live outside the city, where the countryside provides easy access to places where I can run and swim. Being outdoors in the fresh air gives me time to think, reflect and clear my mind. In my role as a Family Learning Mentor, some days can be emotionally demanding due to the complex challenges faced by the families and children I support. Going for a run or a swim when I feel mentally drained often leaves me feeling refreshed and revitalised.
One activity I particularly enjoy is attending aerobics classes. They are fast-paced and require me to concentrate on several things at once: listening to instructions, remembering routines, keeping time with the music and coordinating my movements. I always leave these classes in a much better mood then when I arrived.
Research suggests that this type of activity may also support cognitive function as we age. Aerobic exercise has been linked to improvements in executive functions such as planning, attention and problem-solving. One reason for this is that physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, helping to keep brain cells healthy.
My enjoyment of physical activity began in childhood. I played netball and rounders and took part in cross-country running. These experiences helped to build my confidence and self-esteem. Hearing friends and family cheering from the sidelines encouraged me to put in my best effort and keep trying, even if our team did not win. For me, participation and enjoyment were always more important than the result.
As an adult, I have come to appreciate even more how important regular exercise is. I try to encourage the families I work with to involve their children in some form of sporting activity. Physical Education lessons in schools do not occur as frequently as they once did, so opportunities outside the classroom can be particularly valuable.
If organised sport is not possible, I often suggest something as simple as spending time outdoors. Visiting parks, green spaces or woodland areas—of which Plymouth has many—can offer children valuable opportunities for movement, exploration and play. Access to outdoor space should be considered a right for every child.
Physical activity plays a key role in children’s development. Alongside the well-known benefits of building strong bones and muscles, maintaining a healthy weight and releasing excess energy, movement can also support development in several other ways:
Development of motor skills: Activities such as running, climbing and chasing help develop gross motor skills, coordination and spatial awareness.
Improved spatial awareness: This helps children understand personal space, navigate their environment safely and assess risk. It can also support learning in areas such as letter formation, spacing and sentence structure.
Positive effects on mood: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, chemicals in the brain that improve mood and motivation.
A sense of belonging: Being part of a sports team helps children build friendships, develop self-esteem and gain a sense of self-worth. These qualities are closely linked to resilience and a willingness to try new experiences.
Transferable skills: Sports and physical activities teach discipline, teamwork and perseverance—skills that benefit children in the classroom and beyond.
Brain development: Physical activity stimulates the growth of new neurons, particularly in the hippocampus, a region of the brain essential for learning and memory.
Improved sleep: Regular activity can improve sleep quality, which is important for memory consolidation, learning and the removal of toxins that accumulate in the brain throughout the day.
Support for sensory regulation: For sensory-seeking children, physical activity can help increase alertness and support emotional regulation.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I exercise because of how it makes me feel - energised, happy and refreshed. I believe my continued enjoyment of exercise stems from the positive experiences I had being active as a child. Because of this, I feel strongly that opportunities for physical activity should be available to every child, so that future generations can experience the same benefits.
Encouraging children to participate in physical activities from an early age is particularly important, as early experiences of movement and sport can influence lifelong attitudes towards health and wellbeing. When children are introduced to enjoyable and supportive physical activities, they are more likely to develop positive habits that continue into adolescence and adulthood.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/physical-activity-0
https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/activities
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