News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

A new kind of stationary bicycle provides users with the feeling that they are moving, which leads to a more effective workout.

The new stationary bikes twist and tilt so that riders have to use more muscle groups to negotiate imaginary curves and other hazards. One of the hardest things to do is to maintain a leaning position while you stand up on the pedals, because in real life your bicycle would tip over.

"It's a great way to prepare for the outside," personal trainer Toussaint McCrae said about the bikes, though he noted that "there are things you cannot have inside, like wind resistance."

Labels: exercise, activities

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A recent study found that levels of physical activity drop significantly when children enter their teen years. Summer can be the perfect time for kids to do less, as parents are at work, there's no school, and they're not participating in extra-curricular activities.

"Experts suggest teens spend an hour a day engaged in physical activity, and when you compare that with the 6 hours per day that the average teen spends in front of screens, it really isn't that significant."

You can help your teen stay active by encouraging his interests, whether it's team sports or skateboarding. You can also set a good example by staying active yourself. In addition, try assigning "active" chores like lawn mowing or car washing. Source: San Marcos Daily Record

Labels: exercise, summer, activities

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Teenagers who participate in sports, clubs, and extra-curricular activities gain more insight into themselves and their emotions, according to a new study at the University of Illinois. The activities provide opportunities for personal growth that are unavailable in formal classroom settings.

Dr. Reed Larson surveyed high school adolescents in Illinois high schools and found that those who participate in such activities report that they learn about themselves and emotional control. Typical insights were emotions can distort perception, people are more emotional when tired, and people can learn to control their emotions even under stress. Activities that encourage emotional expression and exploration, such as drama, were particularly helpful.

This study appears in the August 2007 issue of Child Development.

Private boarding schools offer a wider variety of extra-curricular activities than many public schools. Visit BoardingSchoolsInfo.com to find a private boarding school.

Labels: sports, emotional_growth, activities

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