British children as young as five are working out in "kid gyms" as fears about childhood obesity grow.
The numbers of young users have more than tripled in the past two years, according to news reports, and surveys show there are at least 80 child gyms across Britain, including some aimed at children between five and 10 years old.
Experts said the phenomenon, imported from America, could help overcome the obesity problem that now affects about one in four 11- to 15-year-olds, according to figures released by Britain's National Health Service.
PHOTO : AP
However, sports scientists and psychologists, including Craig Mahoney, chairman of the British Association of Sport and Exercise, believe that a generation of junior gym users is at risk of damaging joints and developing an unhealthy obsession with their bodies.
"There is evidence to suggest that putting a child's body under physical stress during a growth spurt can help bone structure and density, but they are also at risk if they bear too much weight too regularly," he said.
"I am concerned that children could become fanatical. It is much better for growing children to take aerobic and anaerobic exercise rather than strength training because it improves the efficiency of the body all around." (DPA)
隨著對於孩童肥胖的恐懼與日俱增，英國的孩童五歲就得上「幼兒健身房」運動。
根據新聞報導，這群年輕使用者的人數在過去兩年成長逾三倍，而問卷研究亦顯示全英國包括部分專為五到十歲孩童設立的健身房在內，至少有八十家幼兒健身房。
根據英國國民健保局所發佈的數字，十一到十五歲孩童每四人就有一人受肥胖影響，專家指出，這股由美國引進的健身風潮能幫助他們克服過重的問題。
然而包括英國運動健身協會主席奎葛*馬哈尼在內的運動科學研究人員和心理學家都認為，這一代上健身房的孩童有損壞關節的危險，也可能養成過度在意肥胖的不健康心態。
他表示：「有證據顯示，在成長陡增期讓幼兒身體承受物理壓力有助骨骼結構和密度的發育，但是過於頻繁或太多壓力則有危險。」
「我擔心孩童會變得過於熱中此道。成長中的孩童做有氧或無氧運動會比進行重量訓練好得多，因為它能改善身體的整體效能。」 （德通社／翻譯：鄭湘儀）
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