Which sport is best for children - swimming, soccer, or gymnastics?

Exercise is one of the pillars that, along with good sleep and proper nutrition, ensure good health from childhood.

But not all child sports can be practiced indiscriminately at any age: If, for example, swimming can be practiced in the early years of life, football and martial arts cannot start before the age of six. Every age has its own psycho-motoric development and, therefore, its sports.

For a Development in Harmony

To ensure a harmonious development of physics, child sports should be selected in the light of age, “favouring sports that promote body recognition in the first 4-5 years and then at 7-8 years of age, launching individual activities as athletic or gymnastics, which help improve neuromotor co-ordination, while after which sports can be started in the team and more specialized disciplines. Below, we show you a small guide published by the Italian Association of Patients for Sports by age.

By age 3

Nott helps all large muscle masses, does not expose the child to the particular trauma of the locomotive, is not conditioned by climate, and can be practiced in all seasons. The start of swimming contests can be done at age 8.

From 4 years old

Skiing is a sport that can begin from an early age because a child has a low center of gravity, excellent stability, and can easily learn movement. Ski courses can begin at age 11.

From 5 years old

Exercise increases neuromuscular coordination and body control. But you need to be careful that the load and length of training may be difficult for the child. Start of competitive activity: 8 years. Athletica, in addition to employing all muscle groups by providing a good physical development, can be practiced in open air in the form of a game as soon as the child is five years old. Start of competitive activity: 12 years.

From 6 years old

As for football, it begins with a small field and gates, as well as without sharing roles. From 8 to 10 years of age, training is enhanced. Even athletic training on the upper limb should never be forgotten. The beginning of competitive activity: 12.

From 6-7

martial arts develop muscle control, coordination, and respiratory technique. Attention must be paid according to the rules and opponents. The beginning of competitive activity: 12. Basketball and volleyball develop all muscle groups and improve neuromotor coordination. Start of competitive activity: 11-year-old basketball; volleyball 10 years old.

From 7-8

Tennis. The combination to athletic training is mandatory to correct any asymmetry of muscle development. The beginning of competitive activity: 8.

From 8 years old

Cycling develops cardio-spiritual functions. However, this sport requires athletic training to compensate for the work done mainly on the lower limbs. Start of competitive activity: 13.