Large muscle group development is one the most important fitness development goals of a playground. Building the muscles in the upper and lower body cannot be overstated as a way to promote life long health in children.
Why it’s important:
For young children, the best way to develop muscular strength is through play. After adolescence, lifting weights or other strength training may be implemented to develop muscles. Moderate exercise on the playground increases a muscles ability to use oxygen and burn fat.
Playground Components that help:
Climbers, overheads and bridges provide the best ways to develop large muscle groups on a the playground.
Climbers
Climbers simultaneously develop both the upper body and lower body as these large muscle groups work together to ascend the play structure. No single muscle group is targeted, but the development of both groups makes climbers a must-have component for any playground that wants to help increase total body fitness for children.
Overheads
Overheads, such as the Tarzan Maze or Monkey Bars, specifically address upper body strength. Few other activities that children engage in target this muscle group. As children swing from rung to rung, they are using all of the muscles in the upper body including the hands, arms, shoulders, chest and back.
Bridges
Bridges, specifically those that add a play component like the Hip Swiveller, provide an excellent opportunity to develop the lower body. Running builds cardiovascular endurance but it also builds leg muscle. Using the Hip Swiveller helps to increase the flexibility and strength of the abdomen and hips in addition to the lower leg muscles. A greater distance between bridges and the other play components requires children to run more. More running furthers the development of large muscle groups in the lower body.
