Physical activity in childhood is important for many reasons and a variety of sources indicate a direct relationship between physical activity and children’s health (Hope and others 2007). In early childhood physical exercise helps build strong bones, muscle strength and lung capacity (Lindon 2007). It may also increase cognitive function, improve academic achievement and accelerate neurocognitive processing. In addition, it appears that active children are also less likely to smoke, to abuse alcohol or take illegal drugs as they grow up (BHF 2009). There is also evidence that exercise breeds exercise, and children in the east of England who cycle.
