Weighted toys may improve children's fitness levels

AORN Journal, August, 2006

Researchers have determined that adding weight to a child's toys may help improve his or her level of fitness, according to a June 7, 2006, news release from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Ind. The study focused on children from seven to eight years of age and tracked physiological characteristics while the children played with cardboard blocks that were either unweighted or that weighed 3 lbs. The researchers measured the children's energy expenditure, heart rate, respiration, and muscle activity, and they found that these factors improved when the children played with the weighted blocks.

The study group was small, however, so further research is warranted. In the future, weighted toys may be used by physical and occupational therapists who work with children who have impaired muscular strength.

Research: Adding Weight to Toys May Help Improve Children's Fitness (news release, Terre Haute, Ind: Indiana State University, June 7, 2006) http://web.indstate.edu /news/news.php?newsid=448 (accessed 19 June 2006).