A sedentary lifestyle causes children and adolescents to lose muscle strength, study finds

A review of studies carried out by researchers from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), together with scientists from Australia and France, brings to light a worrying phenomenon: childhood dynapenia, the name given to the loss of muscular strength and power among children and adolescents.

"The review was based on a series of studies published between 1978 and 2024 and revealed a severe decline in physical activity levels and muscle strength among children and adolescents in recent decades," physical education professional Cássio Víctora Ruas, PhD in Sports and Exercise Sciences and author of the study, told Agência Einstein . The results were published in the journal Conexões , published by the School of Physical Education at Unicamp.

Traditionally associated with aging, childhood dynapenia has been appearing at an increasingly early age, driven by a sedentary lifestyle and excessive screen use, intensified especially after the social isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In general, children have been spending more time at home or indoors, giving up playing outdoors. "This has resulted in the emergence of health problems that previously occurred primarily in the elderly population, such as sarcopenic obesity, osteopenia, cardiometabolic disorders, and, most notably, dynapenia, which is a reduction in muscle strength not caused by neuromuscular disease," explains Ruas.

According to the Unicamp researcher, studies have shown that children today have significantly lower levels of muscular strength and power in jumping, hanging, abdominal endurance, and knee extension tests. To determine if this might be the case for your child, pay attention to a few signs. "If the child spends most of their time sitting in front of screens, avoids playing, or has difficulty with simple motor tasks, this could be an indication," he says. "In these situations, medical guidance and monitoring by physical education professionals are essential."

For physical educator Everton Crivoi, a doctor in sports science and head of physical training at the Einstein Sports and Rehabilitation Center at Einstein Hospital Israelita, childhood dynapenia is concerning not only because of its growing prevalence but also because of the difficulty in diagnosing it. "The concept still lacks standardized clinical diagnostic criteria, which can make it difficult to accurately quantify the phenomenon," he notes.

Muscle strength is essential not only for sports, but also for motor development and the prevention of chronic diseases. "Children with adequate levels of muscle strength tend to have a lower body mass index, higher bone mineral density, and a lower risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases throughout their lives," comments Cássio Ruas.

Without fear

Hence, it would be interesting to rethink the idea that strength training is "for adults." "Scientific evidence has demonstrated the positive effects of strength training for children, especially when done in a playful way," says the study's author. Among the benefits of these exercises are injury prevention and metabolic gains, such as increases in lipid profile and insulin sensitivity. "The practice improves body composition, motor control, posture, self-esteem, and also strengthens basic skills such as running, jumping, pushing, and pulling," adds Crivoi.

Strength training for children isn't limited to traditional weight training. "There are several ways to implement this type of training, such as using body weight, adapted free weights, or even playful methods like Fundamental Integrative Training (FIT), in which children can perform animal movements using their body weight to perform muscle contractions and increase strength in a fun way," explains Ruas.

These exercises can (and should) be adapted to any fitness level, including more sedentary or overweight children, who sometimes don't feel comfortable participating in competitive sports. However, supervision by a physical education professional is essential. "Exercises should be performed in a safe environment, with appropriate instruction and attention to load progression and the child's developmental stage," emphasizes the researcher.

A pediatrician's assessment is also important. "They often identify sedentary behaviors and can refer children to appropriate exercise programs, which can be guided by physical education professionals," notes Ruas.

And don't worry: with proper supervision, these exercises won't hinder your child's growth. "No serious study shows that growth is impaired when training is properly guided," assures the Einstein specialist. Another misconception is that children don't benefit because they lack hormones like testosterone. "Although muscle mass gain is limited before puberty, neural strength gains are significant," says Crivoi. With guidance, the benefits certainly outweigh the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Source: Einstein Agency

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