Did you know that gravity’s pull is the number one constant stimulus to the brain?
Resisting gravity’s force makes everything we do a weight bearing exercise. It creates a constant communication between the brain and our muscles. Every movement we make actually stimulates and grows the brain.
“Repeated muscle activity is the single most important element of brain development.”
What’s my point?
When our kids are not moving and not using their muscles to resist gravity, their brains are not being developed.
They literally need to move to grow.
In this new age of technology our kids are not moving anymore, they just sit. Kids don’t play tag or climb trees anymore, and PE is optional in most schools. If you set foot in a middle school the evidence of the effects are glaringly obvious. The majority of kids have no muscle tone, are either scrawny or jelly, and the number with learning disabilities is astounding.
So how do we fix it?
We need to get our kids moving!
Any activity that has a child moving, running, jumping and playing will do the trick.
The trampoline or rebounder is a great gravitational activity. Jumping on a trampoline provides moments of weightlessness(top of jump), with moments of increased gravitational force(bottom of jump). Jumping provides stimulation to the joints and muscle spindles that in turn send messages and stimulation to the brain.
Move to Grow
Cheers,
Stacey
Disclaimer: Trampolines can cause injury. Ensure that your child is properly monitored on a safe trampoline to ensure their safety and no injuries.
References used for this article include:
-Melillo, Robert, Disconnected Kids
-Walker, Morton, Jumping For Health
-Francis, Raymond, Beyond Health, "Bouncing Magic"
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