SCRANTON, Pa. — It may be tougher for kids to get that exercise in now than ever before.
“It was an issue beforehand, already, obesity was, and with the pandemic, people are staying home, and they are not getting out and exercising as much. They’re not getting their structured gym class, they’re not getting their structured recess time, and that’s a big problem," said Jennifer Schwartz of the University of Scranton physical therapy program.
Each year, the University of Scranton physical therapy students do a community outreach project in local schools. Of course, because of the health crisis that went out the window and they came up with another plan, which they say has worked out really well.
They put together exercise videos for kids, which are free and online here.
“It’s really exciting. I think I can speak on behalf of all my classmates when I say we are choosing the field of physical therapy because we are passionate about people’s health and wellness, and that starts when you’re a little kid," said physical therapy student Erin Ciarrocca.
The exercise videos are focused on students from kindergarten through 5th grade, and teachers are using them as part of their classes, but those videos can be used by anyone of any age.
“Yes, it is OK to play video games for a little bit, or it is OK to watch a little bit of TV, but you also need to mix in activity, playing with your friends, because that will make you feel so much better and your parents better, too," laughed physical therapy student Steven Browning.