The hidden gem of children’s recreational activity, roller skating provides a plethora of benefits to further enhance your child’s mind and body, on and off the skating floor.
Sure there are dozens of recreational sport options for children, including baseball/softball, soccer, gymnastics, dance, ballet, karate…the list goes on and on. Insert roller skating. Not many activities can provide a broad range of benefits quite like it. And who doesn’t love to skate?
Is your child still trying to find a sport or activity that fulfills them? Have you tried other activities but nothing sticks? We welcome your child(ren) to join us for a FREE introductory skating class led by certified USA Roller Sports instructors. Click here for more information on how to register (no obligation).
Exercise Benefits of Roller Skating
Source: RSA – rollerskating.org
Today, kids need help and encouragement to stay in shape and live a healthy lifestyle. Roller skating provides a great way to exercise and kids get to do what they like to do more than anything in the world – hang out with friends and listen to music. Kids may not realize that while they are socializing with their friends on skates, the activity itself is better than running the same distance.
- Research conducted at the Universitat Konstantx concluded that moderate roller skating will increase the skater’s heartbeat to 140-160 beats per minute. Pick up the pace and you’ll likely top 180 beats per minute. This activity strengthens the heart muscle in order to improve blood circulation.
- Studies have shown that roller skating provides a complete aerobic workout and involves all of the body’s muscles, especially the heart.
- Roller skating is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits and caloric consumption, reduction of body fat, and leg strength development.
- Roller skating is recognized and recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) as an aerobic fitness sport.
- Just one hour of moderate roller skating burns 330 calories for a 143-pound person. If that same person roller skates vigorously up to 10 mph, he or she will burn up to 600 calories in an hour.
- According to a study conducted at the University of Massachusetts, in-line skating causes less than 50 percent of the impact shock to joints compared to running.
- If someone roller skates one day, bicycles another, and swims or runs on another, the person will be getting all the fitness benefits that aerobics can offer.
- According to Dr. Carl Foster, associate professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, in-line skating as a form of exercise is as beneficial as running or cycling. (Information from International Inline Skating Association website)
- During a 30-minute period, on the average, in-line skating at a steady, comfortable rate expends 285 calories and produces a heart rate of 148 beats per minute. (Information from International Inline Skating Association website)
Alternative To Traditional Dance, Gymnastics and Numerous ‘Popular’ Sports
There are dozens, if not more, athletic and organizational activities available for children. Of course you have the norms (dance, ballet, gymnastics, soccer, softball) and the list goes on and on. But artistic roller skating? You may have never even heard of it. You’d be surprised to learn of the physical and psychological benefits the sport will have on your child! Learn More About Artistic Roller Skating
Has your child attempted different sports and activities, but nothing seems to click? We encourage you to sign your child up for a FREE introductory learn-to-skate class. Also please explore our website and watch some of our competitive skaters perform and compete.
