Mother’s Day is one week away. Still looking for a gift to show mom how much you care? Give her the gift of exercise to also help her children!
A British study published in the journal Pediatrics involved 554 women who are the mothers of preschoolers. The mothers and children wore an accelerometer for ≤7 days to measure their physical activity. The activity levels were categorized as:
- Sedentary
- Light
- Moderate-to-vigorous
Researchers concluded that the activity levels in mothers and children were directly associated. Active moms had active children. Researchers recommend interventions for moms of young children to get both groups moving more.
More research shows the importance of exercise for expectant mothers, as well. A Montreal study found babies born to mothers who exercised during pregnancy had a boost in brain power. The study involved 18 pregnant women, at the start of their 2nd trimesters, who were divided into two groups:
- Sedentary
- Exercise
- 3x per week for 20 minutes each session
- Moderate intensity
The women’s newborn babies were tested in their 2nd week after birth. Researchers found babies born to exercising mothers had more mature brain responses to the testing. Researchers will continue testing the children to see if brain maturity differences still exist over time.
Looking for something fun to do with your family on Mother’s Day besides eating a large brunch? Next week, we’ll show you a Backyard Boot Camp the whole family can enjoy.