Children should be getting an hour of physical activity every day, health organizations agree. That needed 60 minutes does not need to be all in one sitting, however. The exercise can come in small increments throughout the day, and consist of free play, physical education and structured activity breaks. In their annual "Shape of the Nation" report on state physical education standards, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) pushes for more activity both in and out of PE class. Speaking of the benefits at recess time, they state, "Climbing a tree or navigating playground equipment such as monkey bars increases muscle strength by lifting and moving a child's own body weight or working against resistance."
The survey of physical education requirements and standards in all fifty states and the District of Columbia has been issued every year since 1987. Notably, this year's results show that while 95% of parents support physical education all the way from Kindergarten through high school, only five states actually require that much. Recess time adds to the benefits of physical education class periods and is "an essential element of children's physical and social development," the study notes.
Playground equipment, however, can provide benefits for both physical education classes and unstructured play at recess. BCI Burke's Intensity® fitness play complex can be used in PE with our FREE Intensity® Curriculum, which meets NASPE standards and is so fun that during free play time kids will keep on jumping, spinning and climbing on its exciting play events. We designed Intensity to help kids get the most out of their increasingly limited time for physical activity during the school day.