What is affecting the youth of today?

There’s a proposed triad of conditions are affecting the youth of today, collectively known as the Paediatric Inactivity Triad (PIT). This includes;

• Exercise deficit disorder
• Paediatric dynapenia
• Physical illiteracy

Exercise deficit disorder: This is characterised by levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity that are inconsistent with current public health recommendations (60 minutes daily). Those not meeting the requirements are said to have a premorbid condition, and may need to be treated the same as a teenage smoker or hypertensive child, to prevent the same pathological processes. Structured exercise programs are needed to target deficiencies and promote a healthy lifestyle in adolescents with exercise deficit disorder, regardless of body size! Just focusing on obese individuals will miss a whole lot of children also at risk. Just playing outside or walking to school may not be enough

Paediatric dynapenia: This is characterised by low levels of muscular strength and power. This limits the ability to perform simple tasks such as running, jumping, kicking, and throwing. Left untreated this can lead to further inactivity, functional limitations, and activity related injuries during sport and regular play.

Physical illiteracy: Describes the lack of confidence, competence, motivation, and knowledge to move proficiently in a variety of physical activities. Without baseline levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength, children will be less inclined to climb the playground or kick a ball.

So, what is there to do about PIT?

Most treatment strategies for youth only focus on one component of the PIT which is the exercise deficit disorder. However, an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness won’t produce the adaptations to overcome the dynapenia or movement illiteracy.

There needs to be a development of new physical activity guidelines that relate to modern day youth. In addition to aerobic fitness programs, strength training should be introduced to aid in developing a strong musculoskeletal system that’s prepared for the physical demands placed upon it in daily and sporting activities.

Without providing interventions that work on strength and cognitive exercises to improve movement proficiency and strength, the gap between active and inactive youth will widen during developmental times.